The Place of Joy

Bible Study Fellowship's Women’s Day classes have a preschool program whose schedule includes a Quiet Time during which the children are instructed to and expected to lay down, be still, and be quiet.  The children are assured that this is not a nap time. They can keep their eyes open.  They are told that this is a time to think about God. The Bible in Psalm 46:10 tells us to “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Hold that thought.

Taking time to be in God’s presence is important. For one thing, His presence is the place of joy!

You will show me the path of life;

in Your presence is fullness of joy;

at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:11 (NKJ)

Stacey Padrick wrote that busyness causes us to “whiz by quiet green pastures of joy where God offers to restore our souls." She added, "…anything that pulls us away from His presence pulls us away from joy.” She called these things "joy snatchers."

Hmm…

In this season of the year, when so much centers on "Joy to the World," we can often find our joy stolen, as Stacey warned. We can get caught up in the preparations and activities that we forget about the Joy-Giver.

Remember Psalm 46:10?  That word “still” is the Hebrew word, raphah.  It is most often is translated as be quiet, be silent, let go, cease striving—to show oneself slack.  God desires us to relax in His presence, to find refuge in Him amidst “life.”  The Living Bible says in Psalm 46:4 that there is a river of joy that flows through God’s home where His presence is. 

We have many reasons to find joy in God’s presence.  He is Emmanuel, God with us, as Isaiah and Matthew wrote—we are not alone.  As we read in Jeremiah, in God we find our purpose and meaning.  Throughout scriptures we find evidence that proves God is good.  We have our sins forgiven through His own sacrifice.  We are assured that there is more to life than this—–eternity exists.  We have a hope that is secure.

These verses also tell us God is our Joy:  1 Chronicles 16:27-33; Nehemiah 8:9-12; Psalm 4:7-8; Psalm 30:1-5, 11-12; Psalm 43:3-5; and Zephaniah 3:17. Why not take a Quiet Time today to read them and meditate on them. Their words will help you think about your Joy and slip away into His presence.

Now, going back to the BSF children's program—

One morning, actually it was last day of class that year, as the two-year old class of children settled into their Quiet Time with their heads on their little cloud mats, all were still and quiet—really—when one little voice started singing "Jesus Loves Me." This little two-year old girl had only attended the last three times. Soon, a little curly-headed boy was singing, too. Then, another little girl, who struggled to lay down at Quiet Time, stopped wiggling and rolled over onto her back to sing with them. These mere babies were having a Quiet Time loving Jesus!

That's exactly what we need to do as praying moms. We need our Quiet Time just to love Jesus…and to let Him love us!

So, don't let the season's busyness steal your joy!