Read Psalm 16
This Psalm would have to be one of my favourites. You may have deduced by now that the `omnipresence' of God - not only the knowledge, but my experience - are what have given me peace through many a trial and kept my faith from being shaken.
"I know the LORD IS ALWAYS WITH ME. I will not be shaken, for HE IS RIGHT BESIDE ME." Psalm 16:8 (NLT)
Like David, I have made many `blunders', and probably upset the Lord at times, but one thing we know from reading David's story again and again, and his thoughts and meditations in the Psalms, is that David's trust and reliance on God never wavered.
"Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge. I said to the Lord, `You are my MASTER! EVERY GOOD THING I HAVE COMES FROM YOU." Psalm 16:1&2 (NLT)
Another truth David was sure about was where he would be spending eternity. We too can share this hope for our future, for when Jesus died on the cross and rose again, he secured for us a HOPE IN HEAVEN, where we could live with Him forever.
"You will show me the WAY OF LIFE, granting me the joy of your PRESENCE and pleasures of LIVING WITH YOU FOREVER." Psalm 16:11 (NLT)
1. Is your hope secured in the omnipresence of the Lord and your eternal salvation?
How do you know this?
If you are not sure, read on and find how David knew this hope.
DAVID'S LIFE
Read Chronicles 13-16; 2 Samuel 7
When David told Samuel to anoint a new King in Israel he said he wanted `a man after his own heart'. God chose David, and we can see this in these few chapters in 1 Chronicles (also summarized in 2 Samuel 5&6) that David did indeed seek to honour God in humble worship and prayer throughout many areas of his life.
1. HE SOUGHT GOD'S PRESENCE IN THE MIDST OF BATTLES.
"So David asked God `Should I go out and fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?' The Lord replied. "Yes, Go ahead, I will hand them over to you........ `God did it', David exlaimed........ Once again David asked God what to do." 1 Chronicles 14:10,11 &14 (NLT)
I like the way that God gave David specific instructions for the battle, and that David acknowledged God as the VICTOR. God may not give us the directions we want and we may not feel see God as our victor in the midst of our battles, but if we seek Him, we can be assured of His peace.
2. HE SOUGHT GOD'S PRESENCE WHEN HE WORSHIPPED WITH HIS PEOPLE.
David sought to honour God by bringing the `Ark of the Covenant' to Jerusalem - so the people could share in God's presence. Things didn't go too well at first, as David did things his way. He learnt his lesson though. The second time around he dressed for the occasion and made sure he followed God's instructions for carrying the ark. He continued to dance and enjoy his worship.
"On that day David gave Asaph and his fellow Levites this song of thanksgiving to the Lord:
`Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness.
Let the whole world know what He has done.
Sing to Him, yes sing His praises.
Tell everyone about His wonderful deeds.
Exult His holy name, you who worship the Lord.
Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek Him." 1 Chronicles 16:7-11 (NLT)
We too can be encouraged by David's words to the Levites, for we now have the honour of being in the Lord's presence always. We are `priests' who can worship with other believers, then go into the world and tell other believers.
When David's wife saw him laughing and enjoying his worship she was not happy. People will not always be happy when we share with them about God's wonderful deeds. But God will be happy if we are obedient to Him and are honouring Him by `continually seeking His presence'.
3. HE SOUGHT GOD'S PRESENCE THROUGH THE MENTORING OF OTHERS.
"When King David was settled in His palace and the Lord had given Him rest from His enemies, the King summoned Nathan the prophet. `Look, David said, 'I am living in this beautiful cedar palace, but the ark of the God is out there in a tent'. Nathan replied, `Go ahead and do whatever you have in mind, for the Lord is with you." 2 Samuel 7:1-3 (NLT)
Things had quietened down a bit. David spent this time with Nathan, his spiritual advisor and mentor, for His heart was still on God. More important to him than his own well being, was making sure that God had a`real' place to dwell. God spoke to Nathan, and Nathan later put David's mind at rest.
God was happy, as long as He was dwelling with His people. He wanted to remind David that more important than a `house' was a dwelling place in his heart. One day there would be a temple where God's people would come and worship Him, but this was not for David to worry about. At the moment David was to concern himself with following God's will in his everyday life. It may not always be easy, and there may be a little bit of disciplining along the way, but if David continued to trust God, David's throne would be `secure forever'.
I encourage you, if you haven't already to find yourself a mentor. someone who can help, encourage you, and to whom you can be accountable to. Are you struggling in your faith? Has the Lord given you rest from your battles? Acknowledge this, and use this time wisely by getting into the Word and reaching out and finding someone who can help you in your spiritual development.
4. HE SOUGHT GOD'S PRESENCE WHEN HE PRAYED.
This passage in 2 Samuel 7, continues with David's prayer of thanks. David often sought these times alone with the Lord. Through this prayer we see that David truly believes in God promises, that what He says will come to pass. He again acknowledges Him as the Saviour and Redeemer of His people, and His faithful, OMNIPRESENT LORD.
5. HE SOUGHT GOD'S PRESENCE IN THE HOME.
This time in the Lord's presence was where he gained strength to fight those `battles' at home, for we know that David's wife wasn't always happy with everything he did. His children were likely a bit of a handful too.
We also know he had a darker side to his personality - an `adulterous and rebellious nature' - we can't take these lightly, but we do know David sought forgiveness.
"Blessed is the person whose disobedience is forgiven and whose sin is pardoned. I made my sins known to you and did not cover my guilt. I decided to confess to you, O Lord. Then you forgave all my sins." Psalm 32:1&5 (GWT)
David endeavoured to show his family that he was a man of God who never denied that God was His Saviour and His omnipresent Lord, and His faith was always SECURE in this.
"Then all the people went home, and David went home to bless His family." 1 Chronicles 16:43 (GWT)
2. Where do you need to seek God presence most?
LIFE OF CHRIST - LIFE FOR ME AND YOU
Read Psalm 16: 8-11; Acts 2:14-38
Some writers see this Psalm of David's as a prophecy of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Peter used these words in his first sermon, after Jesus' death and resurrection, to show the people of Israel that even their great hero David knew that Jesus would rise from dead. With great enthusiasm and conviction he tells the people that Jesus is this omnipresent Lord whom David said is `before me always', `close by my side'.
This is the same Lord that gives us assurance in our faith. As `death could not hold Him down', we can be assured that our LIVING, OMNIPRESENT GOD will bless us, encourage us and give us peace.
David also said, `I am glad and I will rejoice'. I have to honestly say, I haven't always felt this gladness, but I am still able to rest in the other promise of this psalm, which I think the King James Version actually puts it best:
"Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell"...... "Thou wilt show me the path of life". Psalm 16:10&11 (KJV)
I don't think it can be anymore simpler. When I gave my life to Christ 42 years ago, He said to me `Come child, into my eternal presence. I will be with you forever on your journey in the world, where, as my seed planter you may not always find it easy. But in those times, rest in me, and remember, I have a home for you in Heaven.
"For God so loved the world He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will never die, but will have eternal life." (NIV)
"Don't be troubled. Believe in God, and believe in Me. My Father's house as many rooms. If that were not true would I have not told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again. Then I will bring you again into His presence so that you will be where I am. You know the place where I am going." John 14:1-3 (NLT)
God has a home for you too. He wants to be with you on your earthly journey as he was with David. He wants you to have the joy that David had when he thought about the path of life that lay ahead for him. Why? Because of his unwavering TRUST IN HIS OMNIPRESENT LORD.
"The Bible", New Living Translation (NLT), 1996, Tyndale Publishers
"God's Word Translations (GWT), 2003, Green Key Publishers
YOU VERSION
New International Version (NIV)
King James Version (KJV)
New Matthew Henry Commentary, Edited by Martin H Manser
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