A close God

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TODAY'S SPECIAL: Jeremiah 10-13;  Psalm 16

TO CHEW ON: "I have set the Lord always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved." Psalm 16:8

Though David calls for help at the beginning of this psalm, most of it is a flag plant of faith. It's as if in his trouble he is reminding himself of some core truths about God and his relationship with God:

• He has cast in his lot with the LORD (Yahweh) and His people (Psalm 16:2,3).

• God has been there for him in the past (Psalm 16:5,6).

• God is with him now, even at night (Psalm 16:7).

Psalm 16:8, our focus verse, illustrates two sides of this relationship.

David does something: "I have set the LORD always before me; …"

It's as if he sees himself as living always in God's presence. It's a presence with whom he aligns his life (an ancient "WWJD" or "What would Yahweh approve?").

God does something: "Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved."

He's there—a constant and reassuring presence. This awareness of God's presence not only keeps David on the straight and narrow but is his protection.

Bible teacher Warren Wiersbe says that God at David's right hand suggests God as his advocate and defender. Wiersbe sums up his commentary on this passage:

"With the Lord as his guide and guard, he has nothing to fear; he would not be moved. The future is your friend when Jesus is your Lord" - Warren Wiersbe, BE Bible Study Series (accessed through Biblegateway.com - emphasis added).

Perhaps we could benefit from using David's method of reassurance.

1. Set God before us.
Though we know He's everywhere present, it helps to specifically invite Him into our circumstances, to "... set the Lord always before me..."

• when we're brokenhearted - Psalm 34:18.

• when He feels silent and absent - Psalm 35:22; 38:7.

• when we need His help - Psalm 145:18.

• when we already sense His activity in creation and the course of our lives - Psalm 75:1.

2. Live assured that He is there.
We can know that He is there to guide, defend, protect, and carry us through whatever circumstance we face: "Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved."


PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for being not some distant, disinterested deity but a close God who is with us through all the ups and downs of life. Amen. 

PSALM TO PRAY: Psalm 16

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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.