Reflections
Psalm 16: 5, 8, 9-10, 11 (Read)"O Lord, you will show me the path to life.”
This psalm of David speaks to us
about a belief in an everlasting life
with God. “Lord, my allotted
portion and my cup, you have made
my destiny secure.”
The psalmist takes refuge in the Lord --
“With the Lord at my right hand,
I shall never be shaken.... My body,
too, abides in confidence.”
The distress that the prophet Daniel
speaks about in Sunday's first
reading (Daniel 12:1) is overcome by
the assurance in the Psalm that the
Lord will not abandon his people (us).
“For you will not abandon my soul
to the netherworld, nor let your
faithful servant see the pit.”
In addition, we can understand the last
verses of the Psalm as a prophecy of the
glorious day when we will see God’s Son
seated at the right hand of the Father.
“You will show me the path to life,
abounding joy in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.”
St Peter also uses the Psalm as a
prophecy that Jesus would be raised up
and would sit at the right hand of the
Father. (Acts 2:25-28) For us these
are encouraging words, with a promise
that we too can look forward to being
lifted up and spending the rest of our
days in the presence of the Lord.
The Lord promises, if we are his faithful
servants, that we will not have to see
the pit. He will not abandon us. As David
says, this is enough to make our hearts
glad and our souls rejoice.
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. Our psalmist says that he will not be shaken or disturbed
so long as the Lord is with him at his right hand. Speak of how
the Lord enables you to be strong, so that your faith cannot be shaken.
2. The Psalm says that the Lord will show us the path to life.
Explain why this verse gives you confidence that you, as a
believer, can look forward to an everlasting life with God.
“Rejoice….”The Lord will not abandon his people to the pit.” That’s “US,” and we are given that assurance, but it’s also clear, that we will never know when we will be tested and to what degree. So, we need to “Be Prepared”!!! Just like the Boy Scouts. Pray that each of us will be ready to the fullest, when the time comes.”
ReplyDeleteYou will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy:
ReplyDeleteThe path of life is something enjoyed by us believers both now, and in eternity. God gives us eternal life to enjoy as a present gift, extending into eternity.
Both in this life and the life beyond, true pleasures forevermore are found at the right hand of God, not in separation from Him.
This life of gladness and rejoicing and fullness of joy is not a problem-free life. It is a life that may be challenged, and face attack on many levels. Yet in that a life commitment to God has been made and is enjoyed, it is a secure, happy, blessed life.
The Psalmist says in Psalm 16, "You have made my destiny secure," and so, "I shall never be shaken." If we seek God's will and his way of living, we will gain wisdom and insights.
ReplyDeleteIt helps us to live the way God desires us to live. As a believer we can find the secret to joy in the midst of hardships and sufferings. Not on the basis of external circumstances, but on the basis of God's daily presence within us.
And we take refuge in the Lord. He will not abandon our soul. He will let us taste His glory - Resurrection, even if many people fear death.
He has made known to me the path of life and filled me with joy in his presence. And so I will be able to live with Him forever, having confidence and faith in Him. This brings me joy and happiness in my earthly life. Furthermore, my faith can be strengthened by the hope of resurrection.
God is good - three simple words I hear often. There is power in these three words if I pause and think about them. He actively intervenes in my earthly life when I but pray and stand in faith.
ReplyDeleteOn a greater scale, God shows me over and over and in this Psalm, especially, that my lot is secure. My body will rest secure. I will not be abandoned to the grave. God is showing me to be confident in my eternal destination.
God provides the peaceful security I need to serve others in His name and hopefully spark a fire in another believer's heart. I can have joy despite my circumstances, which are fleeting. God is holding me up, steadying me by the right hand when I falter.
All I must do is place my wholehearted trust in Him - which becomes easier and easier each time I consciously do so. Praise His name for such a comforting passage. Indeed, God is good!