Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure. . . You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16: 9, 11. NRSV.
Gracious God, as we meet around Your Word today, we know that body, soul, and mind, will be satisfied. This we claim in the holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
We live in a dissatisfied world. Daily, people are seeking new methods to satisfy the longings, the voids, in their lives. There are individuals and institutions that take advantage of these needs in people, and make a profit from it, while all along, the Savior is waiting to enter their lives and give them life in abundance.
In our Scripture for today, the psalmist David recites the goodness of the LORD, in this memorable psalm, known as a michtam; this “precious as gold,” poem. Throughout the psalm David speaks of the benefits of making God “his portion” (5). He sees himself as nothing, apart from God (2a). He acknowledges God as his protection from danger, the only One who could preserve his life (1).
Because God walked beside him, nothing, or no one, could “move” him (8). By naming God the portion “of [his] inheritance and [his] cup,” he had the assurance of being blessed both in this life, and the next. After all, it was the same David, who in Psalm 23 said of the LORD, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (5, 6, emphasis provided). Because of this anointing, he described his situation in the following terms: “The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; yes, I have a good inheritance” (6).
What caught my attention in this version of the psalm (NRSV), were the words chosen to describe the overall condition of the psalmist, because he had the LORD in his life. His “heart” was glad. His “soul” was rejoicing. His “body” was resting secure. His entire being was at peace because he had Jesus! This is so important! Because human beings are whole beings (body, mind, emotions). We are at our best when all phases of our life are being cared for.
The psalmist was convinced that it is in God’s presence that we find fulfillment. In His presence we find, not temporary joy, but complete joy! Because all our needs are met, we find at His right hand, eternal delights. God provides us with all that we need. There is quite a lot to learn in the presence of God; therefore, our minds are fed. We are not left in an intellectually barren land. The soul, or the emotions, must also be taken care of. God has seen to that. His Word is laden with terms of endearment. He has loved us with an unconditional, an eternal, love. Indeed the psalmist could conclude that the line that divided his inheritance, had fallen, in pleasant places!
God has the same joys, the same delights, the same edification, in store for you, as He had for the psalmist. When He comes into your life, you will be able to say that all of your needs are met; and that you too, are satisfied with Jesus!
NOTE: Today’s devotional has undergone some editing.