What the Bible Says About Advent - 29 Days of Advent MeditationsSample

Day 17: Joy in God’s Presence

• Verses:
  • Psalm 16:11: "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence."
  • Nehemiah 8:10: "The joy of the Lord is your strength."
  • Acts 2:28: "You will fill me with joy in your presence."
  • Psalm 21:6: "Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence."
  • John 15:11: "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."
• Reflection:

God’s presence is the wellspring of joy, offering strength for every season. Psalm 16:11 reveals that in His presence, we find the path of life and complete joy (John 15:11). Nehemiah 8:10 declares this joy as our strength, sustaining us through trials. Acts 2:28 echoes this promise, fulfilled in Christ’s abiding presence. Advent invites us to dwell in God, where His joy becomes ours, transforming challenges into opportunities for gladness. This joy, rooted in His unchanging nature, empowers us to face life with resilience and hope.

• Application:
  • Identify a situation where you need God’s joy to strengthen you. Today, spend time in His presence through prayer or reading and memorizing Psalm 16:11, noting how it lifts your spirit.
  • Share this joy by encouraging someone with a kind word or act, reflecting God’s presence.
  • Journal about a time when God’s presence brought you strength.
  • Pray for His joy to fill you, and take one step, like helping a neighbor, to spread this joy to others.
• Prayer:

Lord, let Your presence fill me with joy, even in difficult times. In Jesus' name. Amen.