APART FROM GOD, I HAVE NO GOOD THING, AND LIFE WILL BE SHAKEN
SCRIPTURE:
“Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. 2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” 3 I say of the holy people who are in the land, “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.” 4 Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips. 5 Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. 6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. 7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night, my heart instructs me. 8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful[b] one see decay. 11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (Psalms 16:1—11)
OBSERVATION:
David is a king and is supposed to be the most influential person in Israel, YET he still finds all the power and authority in his role as a king; he needs God. When a person is in a place of control or management, it does not shield them from enemies trying to destroy them. King David needed a place of safety, protection, and refuge. David’s dependency was not on his might but on his God. He had a personal relationship with God. He said, MY GOD, keep me safe. David not only had God as his God but also called him HIS LORD.
I ask myself, How personal and close is my relationship with Your God and Lord? Is it unique enough that I trust him to keep me safe? Is it close enough that I take refuge in him in times of need and trouble? These statements of David encourage my heart to know my God and my Lord more intimately. David said to His God, You are my Lord, AND APART FROM YOU, I HAVE NO GOOD THING. King David’s complete dependency was on God, and he did not consider other god’s as an option. He will not even mention the names of other god’s on his lips.
King David also recognize his God and Lord as his sole provider. He said, You are my portion and cup, and you made my lot secure. Everything David needs falls into pleasant places where they need to be. All of God’s promises and provisions for David were secure. In difficult times, God never stops working. He was David’s counselor, and even at night, while David pondered over things, he was directed by his heart.
David praised his God with a confession of trust, saying; I will praise the Lord who counsels me. I will keep my eyes always on the Lord; with him on my right hand, I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN. Therefore, my heart is glad, my tongue rejoices, and my body rests securely. Why all the rejoicing? Because God will NOT abandon him in the realm of the dead. God made known to him the path of life. God will fill him with joy in His presence and eternal pleasure at God’s right hand. This is a fantastic testimony that I need to learn continuously. The security, the help, the provisions, the rest, peace, and the pathway to life are worth putting all my trust in David’s God.
APPLICATION:
I am reminded again of the joy of having a relationship with God as my God and as my Lord. He is my refuge, my provider, my security, my portion, my lot, and thus I will not be shaken. It is a powerful reminder to continually draw near to God and trust him with all my heart, mind, and strength. I will keep my eyes on him daily. I will always learn to run to him, whether things are bad or good. I will praise my God and Lord daily.
PRAYER:
Father, I thank you for the privilege to call you my God and Lord. Thank you for your goodness to me and for all you do on my behalf, whether I see them or not. Please continue to help me to open my eyes to the things that you are doing daily. I will keep my eyes on you because you are all I need. Like David, I say today, YOU ARE MY LORD, AND APART FROM YOU, I HAVE NO GOOD THING. Thank you, Jesus, Amen!
