{THIS POST IS AN EXCERPT FROM MY DEVOTIONAL EBOOK PERSPECTIVE RESET: 28 READINGS AND MEDITATIONS FROM THE PSALMS. THE DEVOTIONAL IS FREE TO ALL OF MY NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBERS AND I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO DOWNLOAD IT. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE AND DOWNLOAD THE EBOOK.}
In Psalm 16, David reflects on the joy that comes from obeying God.
Some days, I need this reminder. I need to remember that there are blessings that come from obeying God. I need to remind myself of the peace and faith that comes when I seek God and serve Him daily. I need to remind myself of the blessings that God promises to those who seek Him. But seeking and obeying God doesn’t happen on accident.
I’m struck by the intentionally David shows in this chapter. David is actively pursuing God, and his life is reaping the benefits. He talks about intentionally taking refuge in God (v 1), not turning to anything else to satisfy him (v 4), choosing God as His portion (v 5), and setting the Lord before him (v 8).
These things are hard and take purpose, discipline and intention.
And it forces me to pause and consider my own life.
Do I actively pursue God?
Do I design my life in such a way that I am regularly placing myself in a place of seeking and hearing from God?
Do I see the blessings and fruit in my life that David speaks of in this Psalm?
But in case we think that our goal in obeying God is simply to earn material blessings, David starts the chapter reminding us that God Himself is the reward.
"I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” (v 2)
So often, this is the heart check I need. I approach God to get good things, forgetting that the best thing I could ever have is relationship with God Himself. And in Jesus, I have access to that!
"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (v 11)
The blessings that come from obeying God aren’t always prosperity or health or good relationships. God is good and often He will abundantly bless our lives in that way, but the ultimate gift He gives us when we obey is intimacy with Him.
Conversely, when we are not obeying Him, when we are not following the path He has laid out for us, that intimacy with God is broken and our lives will reflect it.
{Verse to Meditate On Today}
"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
{Take some time to pray and ask God to teach you to find your ultimate delight in Him and His presence. Then take time to sit before Him and rejoice in knowing Him and being known by Him.}
