Joel M Bradshaw

8I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 9Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. 10For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. 11You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.–Psalm 16

This psalm was famously quoted in the great first sermon of Simon Peter in Acts 2. Following that sermon God saved 3000 people. Peter applied David’s words to Jesus. Paul in Acts 13 also applied this Psalm to Jesus. So let us instead work at the heart level, for that is what David was doing.

1. David sets the Lord before his heart. David saw life as in God’s hands and as God at work. David would not be shaken because God was with him.
2. This brought joy and gladness to David’s inner person. Gladness is satisfaction. The Rolling Stones might never have found their satisfaction no matter how hard they tried. But David did. His heart was satisfied with his situations and with God.
3. Even though this was applied to Jesus and the NT authors wrote that David was speaking of Jesus’ resurrection, the principle still applies. David saw every part of his existence under God’s ultimate control. When David died, whatever came next was also in God’s hands.
4. David received his counsel from God. He wasn’t following his heart or seeking his best life like many do. God made known the paths of life and David joyfully followed. God as Shepherd led and David the sheep followed.
5. David felt not only joy but security with God. He is like our dogs with Jen and me. They live for Momma and always want to be with her. With me they focus on obedience. They run to Jen with joy. They run to me when I call for them. I see both here with David responding to God.

How does God direct your heart? Does your heart instead direct you? I put to you that only one of those paths brings gladness and security.–JMB