Resting in God: A Journey Through Psalm 16

I have a plant in my bathroom window that craves the light coming through the window. It is constantly seeking to grow towards that light.

Quite often, I will turn that plant, but intuitively the plant will once again lean into the light of that window. 

We, like that plant, need to be continually positioning ourselves to lean into the Light of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and His Word—the Bible. 

The world keeps turning us toward darkness, but we crave the Light. Let’s lean into the Light today! But how?

One way we lean into that Light is by resting in God. Come take a journey with me, friend, through Psalm 16, and let's discover how to lean into the Light by resting in God's goodness!

“Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.

​I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:1-11

Part 1: The Prayer (v. 1-4)

In Psalm 16, we embark on a journey of rest and refuge in God. The psalmist's prayer is a humble acknowledgment of dependence, echoing our own yearning for solace. "Preserve me, O God, for in You I take refuge," the psalmist pleads. Here, we find the foundation of our spiritual rest – the realization that our true refuge lies in the divine.

"I have no good apart from You," the psalmist confesses, a profound truth that reminds us of our inherent need for God's grace. The quest for satisfaction elsewhere is futile; in God alone, we discover the source of our goodness and joy.

Part 2: The Praise (v. 5-7)

The psalmist extols the company of saints, those whose lives exemplify the excellence that comes from walking with God. In the midst of a world plagued by sorrows and idols, the psalmist finds delight in those who share the same devotion.

This section of the psalm reminds us of the importance of community and the impact it has on our spiritual journey. Being surrounded by fellow believers can nurture our faith and provide a source of joy in our lives.

Part 3: The Promise (v. 8-11)

The heart of Psalm 16 lies in the promise of God's presence. Setting the Lord always before us, acknowledging His constant companionship, we find unshakable security. The psalmist's heart is glad, and the whole being rejoices, even the flesh dwells securely, knowing that God will not abandon the soul.

God's promise goes beyond this life; it extends to eternity. He makes known to us the path of life, and in His presence, we discover fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16 reveals the profound wisdom that if we are not resting in God, we will invariably look for the rest our souls crave in places that will never satisfy. In a world filled with fleeting pleasures and empty pursuits, this ancient text offers a timeless invitation to find our true refuge, delight, and joy in the presence of the Almighty.

May we heed the call to rest in God, seek Him as our refuge, and find solace in His eternal promises. In Him, we discover the ultimate fulfillment our souls long for.

How are you resting in God's goodness today?