< Read earlier entry on Psalm 16
Psa 16:8 “I have set the LORD always before me.” [To my shame, I cannot say that I do this always, but certainly want to put You first, to acclaim you in every aspect of my life, to have my heart open to your guidance at each juncture, to do follow your leading. Help me to do that consistently, Lord Jesus.]
“Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” [In contrast to me, you, Heavenly Father, are always consistent, always faithful, always there. Since you never leave me, you are always available when I need you and you will always provide what is necessary in protection, guidance, wisdom and provision. So there is no reason for me to be shaken. In every instance you give beyond what I need and I can praise you in it.]
Psa 16:9 “Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;” [You are the reason I can be glad and praise, for you are mightily faithful, powerfully providing, strongly consistent, lovingly good, totally wise, graciously giving. There is no lack for those who follow you. It is in you, in your character that all comes together, that all is provided, that all stability rests. It is so right to rejoice in you!]
“my body also will rest secure,” Psa 16:10 “because you will not abandon me to the grave,” [I live in the land of the dying but in your love, power and provision, I will move to the land of the living, going through the doorway of death into the light of eternity. And there you will give me a new body, uncorrupted, undying, unending. The certainty of this has already been established and demonstrated in the resurrection of Christ.]
“nor will you let your Holy One see decay.” [Jesus died, but did not stay dead, his body did not deteriorate, but was brought back to life and transformed into the new and eternal form our bodies will have. You, Lord God, have provided the ultimate redemption, transformation, and salvation in which we can rest secure. And within these you have given us three wonders for life right now:]
First, Psa 16:11 “You have made known to me the path of life;” [In your love and grace, your compassion and forgiveness your Spirit has opened my eyes to the way to life, and now I walk on that path, “of the righteous” which “is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever more brightly til the full light of day.” (Prov 4:18) You pour out on us a continual stream of blessings as we walk with you in your way: your presence, your perspective, your power, your guidance. Every day we can learn more of you, every day you bring further transformation, every day we can experience your care, your wisdom, your goodness. And every day we can give you glory and honor by responding to every situation with praise. You are the God of righteousness, goodness and glory. To know you is wonderful!]
Second, “you will fill me with joy in your presence,” [The more we know you, the deeper our joy goes, overflowing, energizing, transforming and motivating. The certainty of your presence is the well-spring of joy in our lives. We praise you for it!]
Third, “with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” [The certainty of spending eternity with you, at your right hand, enjoying the pleasure of your presence, the wonders of your being, the marvels of your new heaven and earth, this is beyond comprehension–and to know that this will come to pass is a further aspect to our present joy.
Truly, Lord Jesus, to know you is enough for joy, a joy that will be ever increasing until death and then exploding into all the dimensions in which you now live, expanding throughout eternity as we learn more and more of your marvelous, infinite character. To you be glory and honor now. May I reflect back to you the joy you are giving me. May we walk together in this day, shedding the light of your joy on all I meet.]
