How to Experience a Pleasant Life
Do you ever want to experience a pleasant life, a life free from stress and hustle and bustle? When you think of what a pleasant life would look like, does it conjure up visions of a Little House on the Prairie way of living, free from worldly distractions, focused on working the land, serving your family, and honoring God.
A quick search on Google for the definition of "pleasant" provides the following: giving a sense of happy satisfaction or enjoyment.
God's Design for a Pleasant Life
Today we will look at how the Lord has made a way for you and I to experience a pleasant life, even in the midst of this crazy world we live in today...
You Will Not Abandon My Soul
Psalm 16
1 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”
3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
in whom is all my delight.[b]
4 The sorrows of those who run after[c] another god shall multiply;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names on my lips.
5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.[d]
8 I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being[e] rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.
10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption.[f]
11 You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
How To Practically Experience a Pleasant Life
The children of God indeed have a beautiful inheritance!
Not only is our inheritance sure in Heaven where Jesus has gone on to prepare a place for us, but during our earthly journey, our inheritance stands firm for He establishes our borders in pleasant places. For wherever God has ordained for us to live and be, He knows the big picture for our purpose in that place.
The next time we are dissatisfied with our lives, our jobs, our circumstances, remember that the Lord's desire is for us to see that every place and every circumstance is beautiful just by the very fact that He is at our right hand.
We dwell secure knowing that when we look to the right, He is there! In that we can rejoice! He is our constant pleasant place.
The Lord ordains our paths. When our focus is on Christ and not on our circumstances, whatever path the Lord takes us down can be a cause for rejoicing, even a path through a trial, for He promises that we will not be shaken because He is at our right hand.
The next time you enjoy a walk on a path in a country meadow or in the woods, remember that the path the Lord ordains for you holds pleasantness forevermore.
 |
| This is my 82-year-old dad who spends most days hiking in the woods. :-) {Photo courtesy of my mom} |
O Thou in Whose Presence
Joseph Swain pub. 1791
O Thou in whose presence my soul takes delight,
On whom in affliction I call;
My comfort by day and my song in the night,
My hope, my salvation, my all.
Where dost Thou, dear Shepherd, resort with Thy sheep
To feed them in pastures of love?
Say, why in the valley of death should I weep,
Or alone in this wilderness rove?
He looks, and ten thousand of angels rejoice,
And myriads now wait for His word;
He speaks, and eternity, filled with His voice,
Re-echoes the praise of the Lord.
Dear Shepherd, I hear, and will follow Thy call,
I know the sweet sound of Thy voice;
Protect and defend me, for Thou art my all,
And in Thee I will ever rejoice.
In God's presence there is indeed fullness of joy where we will experience a pleasant life in Him, enjoying Christ forever.
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Aw, I wondered if that could be your Dad! What a precious picture! I can only imagine the talks he has with the Lord on those daily walks. I love to get out in nature and commune with the Lord. It always makes me feel closer to Him. I love what you said about how God is the one who ordains the path we walk and where we live, etc. In all of life's uncertainties, all things are always certain with Him. Thank you, dear friend, for another precious, encouraging, and edifying post. Sending much love to you today!
ReplyDeleteHi Cheryl! Thank you. I'm cherishing these pictures my mom has been sending to me. He often says hiking in the woods is his church. :-)
DeleteYou are so welcome! Sending you much love and joy!
Thank you. This is encouraging to read.
ReplyDeleteHi Aritha, Thank you and thanks for stopping by! :-)
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