Scripture:
Vs. 2 “I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you’.”
Vs. 4 “The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply.”
Vs. 8 “I have set the Lord always before me”
Vs. 9 “Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.”
Vs. 11 “You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy.”
Observation:
This is a beautiful acknowledgment of David that God is Lord.
And apart from God there is no good!
David sees sorrows multiply in people who try to live apart from God.
David knows from personal experience, however, that a fullness of joy is known in the presence of God!
Application:
There are really two ways for me to live.
I can say to the Lord, “You are my Lord!”
Or I can run after other things in the world … and inadvertently declare them “gods” in my life.
The different results of these two ways of living is striking:
A “fullness of joy” or “a multiple of sorrow”.
Interestingly, David speaks nothing of the circumstances of his life in these choices.
David’s only descriptions are “in Your presence” and “apart from You”.
So, this begs the question, “Am I experiencing sorrow or joy?”
If sorrow, then I need to ask myself if I am “running after other gods”.
Do I want to experience joy?
Then I must always “set the Lord before me”.
God will make this path known to me.
It is to his presence.
And in it there is a fullness of joy!
Prayer:
God be the Lord of my life!
Help me always set you before me.
Help me always be satisfied with your presence and not feel compelled to run after other things.
Thank you for showing me true joy is in you.
In Jesus name Amen.