Set the Lord Before You

Psalm 16: 8,9, & 11 state, "I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.  Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope.  You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Many believe that this entire Psalm could have been the thoughts or prayer of Jesus before He was crucified.  Paul & Peter quoted parts of this Psalm applying it to Jesus in the book of Acts.  Although this is considered to be a Messianic prophecy written by David, I want us to focus on using these words of truth in our own lives.

The hardest part for many of us to accomplish is the first part..."I have set the Lord always before me...."  Placing the Lord  before ourselves ALL THE TIME is difficult.  Why?  I believe it is because we are such a selfish people...at least I am.  Many times when situations come up that will affect our plans or our lives, (if we are honest) our first thought is, "What is in this for me?"  Of course the FIRST question should be, "What is in this for God?"  Thank the Lord that Jesus set God before Him when deciding to be obedient to death on a cross!  

Our encouragement this week is to SET THE LORD ALWAYS BEFORE YOU!  If we can accomplish this, then we will have the benefits that Jesus had!  Let us take a look at some of the benefits.

First, the psalm says we "shall not be moved."  In other words, we will STAY on the path the Father has laid out for each of us!  We won't waver, slip, or fall away from His perfect plan!

Secondly, "our heart is glad!"  

Next, our "flesh will rest in hope!"  I love the meaning of "rest" & "hope" in the original Hebrew. "Rest" means "to reside or permanently stay."  "Hope" means "a place of refuge or safety, both the fact (security) & the feeling (trust)."  So...our flesh will permanently stay in security and trust!  I like that!  

Again we are promised that God "will show me the path of life."  What comfort to know we won't have to worry about which way to go! 

Finally, there is "fulness of joy" & "pleasures forevermore."  In other words SATISFACTION & HEAVEN!  It doesn't get any better than that!  

So, who wants to try harder to see the Lord ALWAYS before you???

I DO!  I DO!!!!  Let us put our selfishness aside fellow servants and enjoy the benefits we learn about from this Psalm of David!