“Thou wilt make known to me the path of life; 
 In Thy presence is fullness of joy;
 In Thy right hand there are pleasures forever.”  Psalm 16:11

Last week we saw that in God’s presence we have fullness of joy for His divine presence is always with the Believer.  There may be times when we do not sense it, but faith knows that it is true!  His presence gives rest, courage, comfort in times of trials, peace and joy as we trust in and rely on Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.

Let us once more look at Scripture that speaks of the promise of divine  presence always and specifically of our being with Christ always.

What joy the criminal who was crucified with Jesus must have had when he heard Jesus say,
“…‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’”  
Luke 23:43

In John 12:26 Jesus promised as He was teaching,
“If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall My servant also be; if anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.”

John 17:24 tells us, in Jesus’ high priestly prayer, that Christ’s presence is assured!
“Father, I desire that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am, in order that they may behold My glory, which Thou has given Me; for Thou didst love Me before the foundation of the world.”

How are we assured?  Because Jesus did not act on His own,
“…but the Father abiding in Me does His works.”  John 14:10
Jesus always only did what pleased the Father!

And He had completed the work that the Father had given Him to do.
“I have glorified You on the earth.  I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.”  John 17:4

Then we have the words of the Apostle Paul’s confidence in this very thing as he states in  
2 Corinthians 5:8,
“We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”

And in Philippians 1:23 he says,
“For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.”

The Thessalonians were concerned about those Believers who had died, Paul reassures them.
“But I do not want you to be ignorant, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as those who have no hope.  1 Thessalonians 4:13

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 give this reassurance,
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.  And the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And thus we shall always be with Him.”

Should we not sing again:
“Break forth into joy O my soul,
 Break forth into joy O my soul.
 In the presence of the Lord there is joy forever more,
 Break forth, break forth into joy O my soul.”

While we were yet sinners, Christ died so that we could be reconciled with God our Father!  Words can not express how grateful we are to be called children of the Most High!  And we are!  Thank you, Lord!  Amen