I love this encouraging verse; it shows me that God offers true joy in the midst of sorrow and confusion. However, we often forget a key facet of this truth:
In the presence of God, our iniquities arise, and we see our filth.
In the words of Isaiah, “[we are] undone” (Isaiah 6:5, NKJV). God’s purity and wholeness leave no room for offense, bitterness or insecurity. For that reason, approaching God forces us to face the hard truth of our imperfections.
Isaiah experiences such a “reality check” when called to the Lord’s work in Isaiah 6 and 7. Upon seeing God in the temple, the first thing Isaiah vocalized was regret at his unclean state. Only then did God cleanse him and call him to the people. Even though God called Isaiah to preach judgment, Isaiah found great joy in being used by his Savior.
So, yes, God brings fullness of joy, but is joy our goal? Not really. We need wholeness. Unfortunately, I have to admit that coming before God doesn’t always reveal my sin, because I enter the throne room on a mission of my own conjuring. Later, I expect to experience joy, but I remain unhealed within.
From now on, I pray that the overwhelming power of God would overtake us every time that we enter into His presence. May we seek healing and forgiveness with no ulterior motives except to draw nearer to our Savior, and only then may we experience fullness of joy.
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