Psalm 16: Thriving in Any SeasonSample

Valuing His Presence

To thrive in any and every season, we’re called to recognise God’s power, prioritise devotion, and finally, value God’s presence. David writes, "You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11 ESV) But digital (and other) distractions are everywhere, making it difficult for us to value God’s presence. Our minds are restless, our schedules are packed, and silence feels uncomfortable. Anxiety levels are higher than ever, with studies showing that excessive screen time and social media consumption contribute to stress, depression, and a shortened attention span.

Instead of turning to God for peace, we often turn to quick-fix, online dopamine hits, or we endlessly chase productivity to feel valuable. These practices aren’t life-giving but leave us drained, distracted, and disconnected from God. Think about binge-watching a series on Netflix. It may satisfy you for a bit—but not for long. Meaningfully experiencing God’s presence requires space, silence, and intentional focus, but our culture conditions us to avoid all three.

When we don’t value God’s presence, we inevitably fall into sin, which is less about breaking rules and more about breaking a relationship. When we choose sin, we’re choosing something other than God to satisfy us. Momentary pleasure or escape tends to turn into guilt, regret, and addiction. The thing that promises you freedom ends up enslaving you, and you find yourself trapped in shame. Thankfully, we don’t need to "clean ourselves up" to approach God. He doesn’t wait for us to be perfect before we can enter His presence. By His grace, He invites us into His presence, where we’re transformed and where we find lasting, satisfying joy that’s unshaken by circumstances.

Psalm 16:11 tells us that God’s presence reveals the path of life. That means, His presence is more than just a comfort—it’s our guide. When we draw near to Him, He illuminates the steps before us, leading us through uncertainty, directing our decisions, and shaping our hearts. Why not make a firm decision to turn to God in prayer daily, instead of only crying out to Him in crisis moments? Turn to Him first for wisdom for every big or small decision. The kind of joy we find in God’s presence doesn’t come naturally. It’s cultivated through habitual surrender, moments of stillness, and choosing His presence over lesser distractions. That’s why prayer is essential: it fuels our dependency on God. When God is our refuge, survival turns into strength, and strength into thriving.

The adventure of thriving in every season awaits you! May you recognise God’s power, understanding that true security comes from trusting in Him. May you prioritise devotion as delight, not duty, committing to prayer, seeking His counsel, and setting Him before you. And may you choose to make God’s presence the priority of your life, stepping into the fullness of His lasting joy and seeking Him in every decision, every struggle, and every season.

This plan was adapted from the series, Psalm 16: Thriving in Any Season, on RightNow Media. To find out more, visit: https://www.rightnowmedia.org/af/get-access