Today’s Reading:
Psalm 16:1-11
“Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge. I said to the Lord, “You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you.” The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them! Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods. I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood or even speak the names of their gods. Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessings. You guard all that is mine. the land you have given me is pleasant. What a wonderful inheritance! I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night, my heart instructs me. I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” (Psalm 16:1-11 NLT)
David the author of this psalm of confidence in God, reflects a very strong faith in God to preserve him (v. 10). He made a brief petition to God to keep him safe because he has come to him for refuge, he expresses his passionate commitment to God and his people, and he concluded with a confident praise of God. (v. 1). God is present in every of our experiences of life, to help us, counsel, and guide us. But most times we are too carried away by the burden of our challenges that we fail to notice the ever-present help in trouble and in time of peace. When we have a constant lifelong fellowship with God, He brings joy, He offers security, and guidance, into every situation of our lives (vv. 9-11), which is very important to our victory in Christ Jesus. We must learn to seek the face of God for who He is, and not only His hand for what we can get from Him. The joy and benefit of a life lived in fellowship with Jesus is for now and eternity.
Usually, we make our plans and then ask God to bless them, but really, we should first seek His face before we take any step. When we continuously think about God and how he wants us to live, we will gain insight that will help us to make the right decisions, and choices and live the way God wants us to live. Two-way communication and the right fellowship with God pave the way for God to counsel us and give us wisdom (vv. 7-8). “… I shall not be moved, shaken.” (v. 8b) David is here talking about the unique sense of security we experience when we have fellowship with God. Having a relationship with God does not excuse us from experiencing day to day challenges of life. Because believers and non-believers are prone to pain, problems, and failures in life (Mt. 5:45). But the difference in the experience is that the unbelievers experience a sense of hopelessness about life and confusion over their true purpose in life. However, The believers who fellowship with God move with much confidence. This is because they know that what they are doing is pleasing to God and that they are special before God. We are sure that God will not allow us to veer off His righteous path.
“No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety.” (v. 9) David expressed happiness because he has found the secret of Joy. How? In that true joy is far deeper than happiness. Amid our deepest challenge, we can feel joy, but happiness is short-lived because it is based on our external circumstances. Joy is based on the presence of God within us. In His presence, there is fullness of joy. In our fellowship with God, when we daily contemplate His presence and His assured mercies, we find contentment. And with understanding of His plan for us, (Ps. 139:17-18), we have unexplainable joy within us. This is why we should not base our lives on circumstances but on Jesus Christ.
David expressed confident faith in God that when he dies, God will not abandon him in the grave (v. 11). It is also translated that he was talking about Jesus. Many people fear death because it cannot be controlled and they do not have an understanding of it. But as believers, we have the assured hope that God will not forget us. He will bring us to life as He is, to live forever with Him. This is a great security to believe in Jesus Christ and His finished work (Job19:25-26; Isa.26:19; Daniel 12:2, 13; Mark 13:27). I pray that God will bring us to such maturity that would earn us such security to live with God as He is, in Jesus name.
OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE
Prayer:
I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make her boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
O Lord, preserve and my family, because we put our souls in You, in Jesus' name.
Our soul has said unto You, Lord, that You are our God our goodness extends not to You, in Jesus’ name.
Create in me O God, a clean heart and renew a right, humble and teachable spirit within me, in Jesus' name.
O Lord, do not cast me away from Your presence; and do not take Your holy Spirit from me, in Jesus’ name.
Father, restore to our children, youths and young adults the joy of Your salvation; and uphold them with Your free spirit, in Jesus' name.
Father, restore Your peace to troubled Christian homes and marriages and lighten up every darkness around them, in Jesus' name.
Father visit hurting people in nations of the world with your love, mercy and healing power and lighten every dark pleases of the world, in Jesus' name.
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