Psalm 16
"My
God is better than your god!"
Intro
√ In this psalm David contrasts the benefits of choosing to serve the One True God over the sorrow that comes from choosing to serve a false god.
God alone is good (vs. 1-2)
Ps. 16:1 A Michtam of David. Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.
Ps. 16:2 O my soul, you have said to the LORD, “You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You.”
√ A sign of maturity!
You've taken a huge step in spiritual growth when you can say to the Lord (and mean it!)…
"My goodness is nothing apart from You.”
Paul declares the same truth in Romans…
Rom. 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells;
As we grow in our relationship with God we come to better recognize our own heart and just how wicked it is separate from Christ!
Ex. Good deeds done for Jesus
We find that deep down inside of ourselves we've done them not purely out of love for Jesus or the saints…
…but also that we might gain the attention of others for our good deeds.
Ex. Praying in the little chapel at the Bible college
"Wouldn't it be great if pastor Chuck walked in and found me in prayer!"
God help us!
The truth that any good thing that comes out of our lives is the result of God's work in our lives!
Be quick to give Him the credit!
Good fellowship (vs. 3-4)
Ps. 16:3 As for the saints who are on the earth, “They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.”
Ps. 16:4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god; Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, Nor take up their names on my lips.
√ Good fellowship in Christ
David rejoices in vs. 3 over the saints, who like him, have a relationship with God.
“They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.”
While it is true that God's people are not perfect…
…we should find the fellowship of the saints a great delight!
Ex. Looking forward to church
Gathering together for the purpose of worship God as a body of believers; talking about what Jesus is doing in one another's life; studying the Word together.
The truth is that Christians don't have a lot in common with the people of the world - Christians want to fellowship around the Person of Jesus…
…while the people in the world want to talk about anything but Jesus!
Ex. Fast cars & sports
I still enjoy talking about those things, but I find that I tire of the subject quickly. I much rather talk about the Lord - the Bible - End Times, etc.
√ Sorrow with other gods
In contrast to the good fellowship David found with other believers…
…is the sorrow found in the company of those who seek after false gods.
"Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god" - vs. 4
The Bible is clear that the end result of seeking after anything and everything other than God always leads to sorrow.
That's because only God can give life, joy, and peace!
Ap. Christian - make fellowship with other Christians a priority.
Not at the exclusion of reaching the world with the message of Jesus…
…but, recognize that true fellowship can only happen between people of like mind.
Good heritage (vs. 5-6)
Ps. 16:5 O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot.
Ps. 16:6 The
lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Yes, I have a good inheritance.
√ A good inheritance!
Notice that David's greatest joy is the Lord! That is, of all God's promises and provisions, David recognized that the greatest treasure of all was God Himself!
"O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup"
While the material gifts that God gives His children are sweet…
…they are only temporary!
God alone is eternal and He alone can meet the deepest needs of our soul.
So, a good inheritance is not measured by what a person gets, but Whom a person has a relationship with.
Ap. How about you?
When you pray do spend more time asking God for things, or asking to know Him better?
Phil. 3:8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
You will be happier with Christ than if you had all the treasure of the world at your disposal.
Ex. Possessions and riches are like alcohol - they can numb your mind or distract you for a while…
…but they can't bring you lasting satisfaction or peace of mind. Ultimately you'll need another "fix".
Only a relationship with God can.
Good counsel (vs. 7-8)
Ps. 16:7 I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel; My heart (lit. "kidneys") also instructs me in the night seasons.
Ps. 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
√ Good counsel
God graciously gives wisdom to anyone who asks!
(James 1:5)
Also, note that God is available 24/7!
"I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel; My heart (lit. "kidneys") also instructs me in the night seasons."
Have you ever noticed that worry and anxiety come at the most inconvenient times! Like when no one is around to ask for help!
Part of David's praise of God is that He is always available! God doesn't take breaks, go on vacation, or sleep.
His ear is always open to the cry of His children.
His hand is ready to respond.
His words of wisdom there for the asking.
Thank the Lord we can go to Him even in the "night seasons"!
Ap. Good counsel - do you ask God for His wisdom?
Ex. Read the page from the yellow pages
My point is that people today are looking for good counsel - we need wisdom to be able to successfully navigate the complexity of life.
Good counsel is that wisdom which comes from God.
He knows what makes us happy.
He knows what makes us sad.
He knows what works and what doesn't.
He knows what the future holds.
He knows the distress in your heart that you don't even know how to express.
So, Christian - go to God for good counsel. He may chose to use people who He has gifted with wisdom to help you…
…but recognize that the only good counsel you're going to get regarding the issues of life ultimately come from Him.
Good hope (vs. 9-11)
Ps. 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.
Ps. 16:10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
Ps. 16:11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
√ A good hope!
This is one of the Old Testament scriptures which speak of the hope of the resurrection.
Specifically, the resurrection of Jesus Christ!
Acts 2:25 “For David says concerning Him: ‘I foresaw the LORD always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
Acts 2:26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.
Acts 2:27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
Acts 2:28 You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’
Acts 2:29 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
Acts 2:30 “Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,
Acts 2:31 “he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.
Acts 2:32 “This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.
Ap. Jesus' resurrection gives us hope for our own eternity!
1Pet. 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
The great joy that David had, and we share, is that only the True and Living God can give us a…
…good hope!
None of the false gods which other people pursue can give that kind of hope.
√ What a contrast!
David declares the benefits of choosing to serve the One True God over the sorrow that comes from choosing to serve a false god.
Close
√ God alone is good!
He's given us a…
Good fellowship
Good heritage
Good counsel
Good hope
Let's live like David with the praise of God on our lips…
"My
God is better than your god!"