Christmas in Psalm 16: Fullness of JoySample

Day 2: The Joy of Our Inheritance

We are on the second day of our journey through Psalm 16—an incredible psalm that reveals God’s heart toward us and echoes throughout the Gospel of John. As we prepare our hearts in this season where we celebrate the coming of Christ, Psalm 16 invites us to see that the story of Jesus is not just about His arrival on earth, but about the inheritance He secured for us.

David begins with a bold declaration: “Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup.” Those words reveal a profound truth—our lives are not defined by possessions, success, or circumstance, but by our relationship with God Himself. He is our portion. He is our sustenance. He is the one who fills our cup until it overflows. And the psalmist continues, “You make my lot secure.” That’s the language of trust—of resting in the hands of a faithful Father who holds our future with care.

When we hear the word inheritance, we think of something we receive not because we earned it, but because we belong. It’s the gift that flows from relationship. In Christ, this becomes the essence of the Gospel: we inherit a blessing we did not work for. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has given us access to the fullness of life, peace, and joy that come from being united with Him.

But notice what David celebrates—“The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places.” It’s not that everything around him is perfect; rather, he perceives his life through the lens of God’s goodness. Gratitude becomes the lens through which he sees every part of his journey. This is the starting point of joy—not circumstances, but perspective.

Jesus echoes this truth in John 15. He describes Himself as the true Vine and calls us to abide in Him, because only in that relationship can we bear lasting fruit. Then He says something remarkable: “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.”

This joy is not superficial or seasonal—it’s the deep, sustaining joy of knowing that our lives are rooted in divine love. It’s joy that endures through pain, hope that sings in the dark, and peace that holds firm when the world shakes.

So in this season, when the world sings “’Tis the season to be jolly,” remember: the joy of Christ runs deeper than a festive feeling. It is the unshakable reality of our inheritance in Him.

Take a moment today to reflect: What are the things that steal joy from your soul? What are the distractions that cloud your awareness of His presence?

Then, declare again with David: “Lord, you alone are my portion.” May your heart overflow with gratitude, may your eyes see the pleasant places of God’s grace around you, and may the joy of Christ rise in you—complete, abundant, and unshakable.

Prayer:
Lord, You are my portion and my cup. Thank You for the inheritance I have in You—life, peace, and joy that cannot be taken away. Teach me to see Your goodness in every boundary line of my life, and fill my heart with the joy of Your presence. Amen.