Psalm 16:8 - Keep The Lord Always Before You.
Psalm 16:8: Keep The Lord Always Before You.
Psalm 16:8 (TNIV) I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at
my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 16:8 (HCSB) I keep the LORD in mind always. Because He is
at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
COMMENTARY PEARL
Living in close communication with Me can be a foretaste of
heaven. It is wonderful, but it requires a level of spiritual and mental
concentration that is extremely challenging. In the Psalms, David wrote about
this wonderful way of living, declaring that he had set Me always
before him. As a shepherd, he had plenty of time to seek My Face and
enjoy My Presence. He discovered the beauty of days lived with Me
always before him and beside him. I am training you to live this way
too. It is an endeavor that requires persistent effort and
determination. Yet rather than detracting from what you are doing, your
closeness to Me will fill your activities with vibrant Life.
Whatever you do, do it for Me - with Me, through Me, in Me.
Even menial tasks glow with the Joy of My Presence when you do them
for Me. Ultimately, nothing in all creation will ever be able to
separate you from Me. So this delightful you-and-I-together adventure can
continue throughout eternity! (Psa. 16:8; Col. 3:23, 24; Rom. 8:39)
[Jesus Always by Sarah Young]
INTRODUCTION
In Davids eyes, God was no mere abstraction, but a Person
actually at his side. Enoch walked with God. Moses kept a vision of God
before him. We need a consciousness of the constant presence of God.
Not only will a sense of Gods presence be a deterrent to sinning,
but it will gladden the heart, brighten the life, and give meaning
to circumstances. [SDA Bible Commentary]
Each of us too can experience Gods guidance. When we set
the Lord always before us, keeping our eyes on Him, always
following where He leads, we will not be shaken. [The 365-Day
Devotional Commentary]
COMMENTARY
What does it mean to set the Lord always before you? It means
that you choose to relate everything you encounter to your trust in
God. What you choose to focus on becomes the dominant influence in
your life. You may be a Christian, but if your focus is always on
your problems, your problems will determine the direction of your
life. If your focus is on people, then people will determine what you
think and do. In biblical times, the right hand was the most
distinguished position, reserved for ones chief adviser and supporter. When
you choose to focus on Christ, you invite Him to take the most
important position in your life as Counselor and Defender.
Every time you face a new experience, you should turn to
Christ for His interpretation and strength. When people insult you and
mistreat you, you should seek direction from your Counselor regarding the
right response. When you face a crisis, you should receive strength
from the One at your right hand. When you experience need, you should
consult your Counselor before you react. When you face a fearful
situation, you should take courage from the Advocate at your right hand.
Everything you do is in the context of your relationship to Christ.
What an incredible act of Gods grace that Christ should
stand beside you to guide you and counsel you and defend you! How
could you ever become dismayed over your situation with Christ at your
right hand? What confidence this should give you! [Experiencing God
Day by Day by Henry and Richard Blackaby]
Many have an idea that they must do some part of the work
alone. They have trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of sin, but now
they seek by their own efforts to live aright. But every such effort
must fail. Jesus says, "Without Me ye can do nothing." Our growth in
grace, our joy, our usefulness,--all depend upon our union with Christ.
It is by communion with Him, daily, hourly,--by abiding in Him,
--that we are to grow in grace. He is not only the Author, but the
Finisher of our faith. It is Christ first and last and always. He is to
be with us, not only at the beginning and the end of our course,
but at every step of the way. David says, "I have set the Lord
always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be
moved." Psalm 16:8.
Do you ask, "How am I to abide in Christ?" In the same way as
you received Him at first. "As ye have therefore received Christ
Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him." "The just shall live by faith."
Colossians 2:6; Hebrews 10:38. You gave yourself to God, to be His wholly,
to serve and obey Him, and you took Christ as your Saviour. You
could not yourself atone for your sins or change your heart; but
having given yourself to God, you believe that He for Christ's sake did
all this for you. By faith you became Christ's, and by faith you are
to grow up in Him--by giving and taking. You are to give all,--your
heart, your will, your service,--give yourself to Him to obey all His
requirements; and you must take all,--Christ, the fullness of all blessing, to
abide in your heart, to be your strength, your righteousness, your
everlasting helper,--to give you power to obey.
Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your
very first work. Let your prayer be, "Take me, O Lord, as wholly
Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service.
Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee." This is a
daily matter. Each morning consecrate yourself to God for that day.
Surrender all your plans to Him, to be carried out or given up as His
providence shall indicate. Thus day by day you may be giving your life into
the hands of God, and thus your life will be molded more and more
after the life of Christ. SC69-70
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
Live first and foremost in My Presence. Gradually you will
become more aware of Me than of people and places around you. This
awareness will not detract from your relationships with others. Instead,
it will increase your ability to give love and encouragement to
them. My Peace will permeate your words and demeanor. You will be
active in the world, yet one step removed from it. You will not be
easily shaken, because My enveloping Presence buffers the blow of
problems.
This is the path I have set before you. As you follow it
wholeheartedly, you experience abundant Life and Peace. (Psa. 89:15, 16; 16:8;
2Pe. 1:2) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
Set Me before you continually; keep your eyes on Me. I am at
your right hand, close by your side. This is the most reliable source
of Joy: knowing that I am always near. Seek to strengthen your
awareness of My Presence so you can enjoy Me in your moments and feel more
secure.
Communicating with Me - in silent prayers, in whispers, in
spoken words, in shouts of praise - is the best way to stay attentive
to Me. I want you to be real with Me in your prayers. Instead of
worrying or obsessing about things, turn those thoughts toward Me. Talk
with Me about whatever is on your mind. I will show you My way to
handle the person or situation that concerns you.
Study and meditate on Scripture. Let it saturate your heart
and mind, changing your way of thinking. Permeate your prayers with
biblical concepts and content. As you stay in close communication with
Me, the Joy of My Presence is yours! (Psa. 16:8; 71:23; Phi. 4:6;
Psa. 90:14) [Jesus Always by Sarah Young]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2014/20140212-1604.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
