FINDING WHAT MATTERS AND LASTS

January 16, 2023

You will make known to me the path of life. In Your presence is fullness of joy. In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. (Psalm 16:11)

Is it worthwhile to spend your life pursuing God? Drawing near to Him? The greatest human king in history thought so. He was a man who went after God with all his heart. And the results of this Godward life were stunning.

The Psalms are a treasure to us because they open a window into how David drew near to the Lord and the blessed results of this pursuit. Psalm 16 gives insight into a man who experienced God.

DRAWING NEAR

David understood the value of God. Other men valued other gods. But David knew there was no other place of such refuge (Vs. 1). It was his “highest good” (Vs. 2). He looked at other men who chose other gods and noticed that they lived in sorrow. But David chose to “set the Lord continually before” him (vs. 8).

How do you set God there? You meet Him in His Word and prayer. You continually look to Him throughout the day. He is your first and best thought. Your constant and deepest friend. He is your God, and you choose no other.

THE BLESSED RESULTS

David’s continual pursuit of the Father yielded a treasure of blessing. God became what he received in life, his portion and cup (Vs. 5). Other men received their inheritance, and it flashed and faded, but David’s inheritance was personal, eternal, and lasting. It was pleasant and beautiful to him, for the one who has God is the richest man in heaven and earth (vs. 6).

God counseled David. What could be more important than having God direct your life? Other men relied on gods who gave no instruction. But David was continually led by God, even in the night watches, for he pursued God there (Vs. 7, 10). David found the path of life, while others wandered aimlessly (Vs. 11).

David’s life was stable and secure (Vs. 8-10). Other men die and decay, but not the God-follower. He will know God’s protective, eternal care (Vs. 10-11).

So, why do we hear David singing throughout his life? It was because he was walking with God. And in God’s presence is “fullness of joy,” and at His right hand are “pleasures forevermore” (vs. 11).

You can choose whatever god you desire. And you will choose. Every man does. But, as for me and my house, we will choose the Lord.

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