When we make the Lord our treasure, and seek Him in all that we do, we will also experience gladness and joy.
We touched on this last time, when we talked about living in safety and security. Let's look back at verses eight and nine:
I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely. (Psalm 16:8-9)
The scholars tell us that "glory" refers to the soul, but there are some translations that say "tongue," instead. The tongue simply expresses what is in the soul, right?
The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.(Luke 6:45)
Let my lips utter praise,
For You teach me Your statutes. Let my tongue sing of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness. (Psalm 119:171-172)
And then, by adding "flesh," David is telling us that all of him, inside and outside, is glad and joyful because God has caused him to live securely. (Have you ever been so very happy that you just felt joy all over? Inside and out? Every part of you showed it: the smile on your face, the lightness and quickness of your steps, your gestures, everything!) When we reflect on our security in Christ, we can't help but be glad and rejoice!
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
Not only is God our treasure, but we are His treasure, too. He's not going to lose us! That's cause for rejoicing, too:
And the Lord has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands. (Deuteronomy 26:18)
because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
nor will you let your faithful one see decay.
11 You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (v 10-11)
David had hope of life beyond the grave. He would enjoy eternal pleasure in God's presence. That is our hope as well, if we know the Lord as our treasure. These verses are ultimately (and literally) fulfilled in the death and resurrection of Jesus. But that's our study for tomorrow!
So very encouraging to read this. X
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