Bible League: Living His Word You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.— Psalm 16:11 ESV The songs and poetry of Psalms reverberate with praise throughout the entire book! But this large collection of worship material is the combination of five smaller books, each portraying a different perspective of our relationship with God. Book 1 (Psalms 1-41) portrays God beside us; His presence stands watch over us throughout all of life. Book 2 (Psalms 42-72) reveals God going before us, providing, and protecting us throughout life's journey. Book 3 (Psalms 73-89) reminds us that God is all around us; from generation to generation, God has remained faithful to His people. Book 4 (Psalms 90-106) focuses on the fact that God is above us; He, Creator God, reigns over His creation in glory and holiness from the heavens. And Book 5 (Psalms 107-150) focuses on how God is among us, offering to His people the opportunity to praise His name throughout all of life! Our psalm for today is a wonderful example of God remaining beside His people, fully committed, never abandoning them in their time of need. Take a moment to read the entire psalm. Now, ponder with me each of the sub-phrases of this verse. First, we are given all that is needed to walk our "path of life." We may not be given it all at one time, but when it is needed, rest assured, it is provided. It can be surprising at times to realize that others cannot see what has become so obvious to us—that without His initial call, we would not have been drawn to Him (John 6:44). But His "call" and "draw" give a reason for the psalmist to "bless the LORD who gives me counsel... because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken" (Psalm 16:7-8). Think for a moment about your path of life. Jesus revealed that there are two pathways, one is wide and easy, but it leads to destruction, while the other is narrow and hard, but it leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14). What makes the narrow path hard at times is that it cuts across everything in life that the world holds dear: pride, ego, power, money... to name just a few of a much longer list! There is much along the wider pathway to distract us. But in the presence of God, who is walking with us along our path, we find "fullness of joy"! Remember, He gives us what we need when we need it. His "presence" is in the present, and we can seek His presence in any present moment. This is what Jesus meant when He declared that all we really need to "worry" about is seeking "first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33). When His righteousness is at the forefront of our minds and hearts, we will indeed be filled with joy. One last thought arises from this final phrase. We can be filled with joy—that delight that flows from our relationship with Christ despite our circumstances—because we are in Christ who is at the right hand of God. This position is the place of authority within the heavens. The "pleasures" that come to us, come through the hands of our Savior! Notice that they are eternal, not temporal. Joy is "forevermore" when we refuse to exchange that which is eternally pleasurable for something of a cheaper value. Christ paid dearly for all that He is giving us, both for life here and for all eternity (Hebrews 12:2). By Bill Niblette, Ph.D., Bible League International staff, Pennsylvania U.S. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingNumbers 25, 26, 27 Numbers 25 -- Israelites Sin in Moab; Phinehas Intervenes NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Numbers 26 -- The Second Census Totals 601,730 NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Numbers 27 -- The Daughters of Zelophehad; Joshua to Succeed Moses NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Mark 8:22-38 Mark 8 -- Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand, Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida; Peter's Confession of Christ NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion But I keep praying to you, LORD,hoping this time you will show me favor. In your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with your sure salvation. Insight What problems David faced! He was scoffed at, mocked, insulted, humiliated, and made the object of citywide gossip. But still he prayed. Challenge When we are completely beaten down, we are tempted to turn from God, give up, and quit trusting him. When your situation seems hopeless, determine that no matter how bad things become you will continue to pray. God will hear your prayer, and he will rescue you. When others reject us, we need God most. Don't turn from your most faithful friend. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Songs 4:16 Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out.Anything is better than the dead calm of indifference. Our souls may wisely desire the north wind of trouble if that alone can be sanctified to the drawing forth of the perfume of our graces. So long as it cannot be said, "The Lord was not in the wind," we will not shrink from the most wintry blast that ever blew upon plants of grace. Did not the spouse in this verse humbly submit herself to the reproofs of her Beloved; only entreating him to send forth his grace in some form, and making no stipulation as to the peculiar manner in which it should come? Did she not, like ourselves, become so utterly weary of deadness and unholy calm that she sighed for any visitation which would brace her to action? Yet she desires the warm south wind of comfort, too, the smiles of divine love, the joy of the Redeemer's presence; these are often mightily effectual to arouse our sluggish life. She desires either one or the other, or both; so that she may but be able to delight her Beloved with the spices of her garden. She cannot endure to be unprofitable, nor can we. How cheering a thought that Jesus can find comfort in our poor feeble graces. Can it be? It seems far too good to be true. Well may we court trial or even death itself if we shall thereby be aided to make glad Immanuel's heart. O that our heart were crushed to atoms if only by such bruising our sweet Lord Jesus could be glorified. Graces unexercised are as sweet perfumes slumbering in the cups of the flowers: the wisdom of the great Husbandman overrules diverse and opposite causes to produce the one desired result, and makes both affliction and consolation draw forth the grateful odours of faith, love, patience, hope, resignation, joy, and the other fair flowers of the garden. May we know by sweet experience, what this means. Daily Light on the Daily Path Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,1 John 4:16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. Romans 5:5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 1 Peter 2:7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, "THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE VERY CORNER stone," 1 John 4:19 We love, because He first loved us. 2 Corinthians 5:14,15 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; • and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. 1 Thessalonians 4:9 Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; John 15:12 "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 1 Peter 4:8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Ephesians 5:2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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