Highlights:
Helpless? Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble (Ps. 10:17). Cry to God (chap. 10), He is our refuge (chap. 11). Protection from a lying generation (chap. 12)! Sound familiar? I will sing unto the Lord, because He hath dealt bountifully with me (13:6). We can rely on God (chap. 17).
David asked a question that has eternal consequences: LORD, who shall abide (dwell) in Thy Tabernacle? (Ps. 15:1). David focused on two of the all-important issues of life when he asked: Who shall abide? or who shall dwell? . . . and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart (15:2). One who worketh righteousness can only happen after one becomes a child of God through faith in Christ. The Holy Spirit provides the answer: As many as received Him . . . become the sons of God . . . Which were born . . . of God (John 1:12-13). Jesus told Nicodemus: Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God (3:5).
The Book of Psalms foretells the resurrection of Christ. In addition, it offers assurance that all who believe in Him will also rise to share in His resurrection and life eternal. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven . . . and the dead in Christ shall rise first (I Thess. 4:16). How wonderful to look forward to living in the presence of our Lord forever. Like David, let us rejoice: 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 rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope (Ps.16:8-9). The Almighty God fulfilled the prophecy of David: For Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell (the grave) (16:10). Forty days after His resurrection, Jesus Christ ascended heavenward to take His place at the right hand of the Father as had been prophesied. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore (16:11).
On the Day of Pentecost, Peter quoted from this psalm to proclaim to about three thousand people that Jesus was the Christ of whom David had prophesied: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved. . . . For David speaketh concerning Him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face . . . Therefore did my heart rejoice . . . He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:21-31).
The risen Christ is the Good News of the Gospel upon which our faith is based. As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive (I Cor. 15:22).
Thought for Today:
In Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore (Ps. 16:11).
Christ Revealed:
In the prophecy that God would not allow His Holy One to see decay (Ps. 16:10). This foretells the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 2:25-27; 13:35-39). When Jesus spoke His Revelation to John, He declared: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death (Rev. 1:18).
Word Studies:
10:5 puffeth at =makes light of; 10:13 contemn =defy; despise; 11:3 foundations =principles of society based on the Word of God.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Officials: Rep. Mike Honda (CA), Rep. Jeff Miller (FL), and Rep. David Scott (GA) • Country: Pakistan (146.5 million) in southern Asia • Major languages: Urdu and English • There is no freedom to convert Muslims to Christ. Pakistan is an Islamic republic • 72% Sunni Muslim; 20% Shi'a Muslim; 3% Ahmadiya; 2% Christian; 2% Hindu; .1% Other (Baha'i, Animist, Farsi, Buddhist) • Prayer Suggestion: Sing praises to the Lord (Ex. 15:1-19).
Optional Reading: Philippians 4
Memory Verse for the Week: 2 Corinthians 4:7