His Providence in Quiet Seasons.

“Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in security. 10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You suffer Your godly one to see corruption. 11 You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” - Psalms 16:9-11

The Lord is our portion, our cup. The Lord gives us counsel and in the night instructs us in truth. This shows us that the Lord is before us. Leading to a security in a faithful God. The Lord will not abandon his people (16:10). Though seasons may feel corrupt or like the fire of hell, it merely can be the grace of God to cultivate dependency and righteousness.

As the Westminster confession tackles in chapter 20 section 5 - “The most wise, righteous, and gracious God doth oftentimes leave, for a season, his own children to manifold temptations, and the corruption of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former sins, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of corruption and deceitfulness of their hearts, that they may be humbled; and to raise them to a more close and constant dependence for their support upon himself, and to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for other just and holy ends.” Yet we know that in God’s word, he promises to always provide for our every need. Through his omnipresence, we know he never fully leaves. Rather we enter seasons of dryness to cultivate our hearts for his purposes.

In his presence is the fullness of joy. Fullness means complete and not partial. This means in the presence of God there isn’t partial joy but the fullness of joy for those in Christ. God, in his providence, does not abandon his people dependent on him. Rather he always comes to their aid. Remember you are not alone. Season may feel barren and dry, but remember Psalms 16. The fullness of joy is in his presence.