Daily Devotion: Reflection on Psalm 16

Psalm 16

Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you."

As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble, in whom is all my delight.

Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows, their drink offerings of blood will not pour out or take their names upon my lips.

The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodley heritage.

I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.

I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 

Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure. 

 For yo do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful ones see the Pit.

 You show me the path of life.  In your presence there is fullness of joy; In your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 

Observation:  We are to trust God above all things.  Verse 4 "Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows, their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names upon my lips."  There are the obvious idols of the world that we turn into false gods that rule our lives as individuals and as a society.  Various addictions to drugs and alcohol for instance would and does indeed multiply ones sorrow.  The false god of greed and consumerism also creates sorrow in our hearts because it is unlike any other addiction.  We can't get enough of it and as a result are never satisfied leaving us very empty in the end.  

          As a nation we can often look to our government as a god that will always protect us and keep always keep us safe.  This often distracts us from the reality that God is the only one in whom we can put our trust and security in.  There is an illusion of security that governments and politicians try to sell to us.  Sure they are called to keep us safe and work for the common good but promises of total security does not in the end help us to rest peacefully because even if we bought the bit we know deep down that it is an impossible promise to keep or make. 

       Ironically many Christians can turn the Bible into a god.  This too can create a great deal of sorrow!  As a Lutheran Christian the bible is the inspired written word of God and it points always to the word of God which is Jesus Christ crucified and risen!  I worship Jesus Christ, God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit NOT the bible.  The written word of God allows us to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ and that we are free in Christ to love and serve.  Through the inspiration and revelation of the Holy Spirit I can see and hear that God is my ultimate security!

 Application:  Now that I have made the observation how the heck do I apply it.  While God is indeed my rock and my salvation in whom I ultimately put my trust, I am a sinner that falls short of the glory of God just like everyone else.  My heart is troubled from time to time and I often look everywhere else but God to put my trust and find security in.  It takes a daily dying and rising in Christ Jesus, wrapping myself in the story of the Cross the mark in which I am sealed with at baptism in order to live a life that internally and externally trusts in God as faithfully as the psalmist does.  It is always being fed and nourished with both word and sacrament and the community of believers that witness to me God's faithfulness in times that I struggle and doubt.  Thanks be to God that in the end even death does not prevail and God who is our ultimate blanket of love and security wraps us in His arms giving to us life eternal.  "Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure.  For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the Pit." vs 9-10.

Prayer:  O God, our security in whom we put our trust.  Grant that we may see your Holy Cross as a sign of your faithfulness.  Send forth the consoling presence of your Holy Spirit.  May we resist the temptation of seeking out another god for solace that will only lead to sorrow.  May we know that even during trials and tribulations that you are always present in our midst.  We know that nothing can separate us from your love O God, and that even death does not have the last say for your do not let your faithful see the pit of death.  May our hearts and souls rejoice and our bodies rest securely because you O God are our protector and refuge.  Amen