Every Good and Perfect Gift - a 5-Day Advent DevotionalSample

Joy

“You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures.”
Psalm 16:11 CSB

The Word promises we will have trouble in this world, and sometimes that is a promise we would like to forget (John 16:33). But the Word also promises we can have abundant joy in any season. So what happens when we are going through the deepest of valleys that never seem to end? Can we truly still have abundant joy? Yes!

Joy doesn’t always come from a change of circumstances—it comes from clinging to the Lord in every season. Many times in life, we will wait upon the Lord to reveal the path He desires for us, thinking that will finally bring us joy. Yet the Lord is so gracious that He promises abundant joy before the path is even revealed. Ponder this for a moment: I can have abundant joy at any time because of the Lord’s presence in my life! Sometimes it feels like the hard times will never end. But the Lord says, you can have joy and joy abundantly. Joy is obtainable when we invite His presence into our lives on any given day.

In Matthew 2:10, when the wise men saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy—not because of circumstances or anything they had accomplished but because it was a profound and spiritually deep experience of God’s presence and promises. God had revealed the way to His promised King.

Our path into the presence and promises of God begins with spending time in the Word, in prayer, or just sitting still in His presence when words cannot be found. Leaning into Him will indeed shift our perspective, calm our anxious hearts, and fill us with joy. He will reveal the path of life for us, and we can rest assured that He is working all things for our good (Romans 8:28). Joy isn’t based on what surrounds you; it comes from who lives within you. You can have and remain in abundant joy because joy comes from the Lord. Aren’t you so joy-filled that you belong to the Lord?

Reflect

What circumstance are you allowing to steal your joy? When was the last time you exchanged every single worry for His abundant joy? Do you truly trust that God will reveal your paths?

Pray

Lord, thank You that Your Word promises that in Your presence is abundant joy. Help me to continually seek You and find joy abundantly. May the uncertainty of my next steps never strip me of Your promises of joy. In Jesus’s name, Amen.


If these five days have encouraged you, we’d love to help you continue your Advent journey. The full Every Good and Perfect Gift devotional includes 25 reflections to guide you through the entire Christmas season. You can receive your copy as our thank-you for any donation to support Crown’s global ministry.