Month: June 2017

30. Joy and Pleasure

Psalm 16.11

In thy presence is fullness of joy;

At thy right had there are pleasures for evermore.

 Joy and Pleasures are unconditional promises for those who are in God’s Presence or at His right hand. Whenever humans are graced by God to feel Him or have a religious experience one word often used to describe that experience is Joy, full to bursting joy. But the believer is in the presence of God by faith, not by sight, and not only when God’s presence is felt. Thus joy is always available since the presence of God is always available. The presence of God is near us, with us, and in us, although we do not normally utilize it or even notice it. And if the presence is here then so is the joy of the Lord, whether felt or noticed or not. The promise is given to us to realize that the joy of the presence of God is always near and available, no matter how we are feeling at the moment. By faith we may enter into the presence and the joy. “Come unto me.”

With the Lord by our side there are also pleasures, in addition to joy; these are the pleasures of life, both spiritual life with God and social life with people and physical life in a pleasant environment. The emphasis is on the pleasures of this earthly life, but when the words “for evermore” are added another dimension of life open up, for we know more about the pleasures of Paradise with God than we think we do. It is easy to imagine what we have not yet experienced because we may simply enhance and expand any pleasant experience on earth and multiply it in eternal paradise. The glorious vistas of eternity are now open to people, since Christ has conquered death. The heart and soul is filled with hope, and the flesh shall dwell securely. It is not the contrast between life and death that is so significant, but rather contrast between life with God and life without him.

The pleasures of life promised by God to be with God are different than the pleasures of world “promised” by Satan: the primary difference is the eternal, long-lasting pleasure of life with God over against the temporary, momentary thrill or high of worldly life; worldly temporary thrills normally crash with a thud when they pass, while godly pleasures leave a lasting and pleasing effect; another difference is in the depth or shallowness of the pleasure, for after the worldly pleasure passes we realize how empty and shallow it really was; after the experience of a spiritual pleasure we notice that it lingers and grows in significance.

Even in the midst of pain and tragedy the eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17) in the pleasures of God are still available, and when asked, God may bring in glories and pleasures that overwhelm and outweigh the pain and tragedy. Worldly pleasure cannot do that.

Let your imagination take hold of fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore and run wild with these promises. Apply this promise to your life in the most contrary circumstance and see the difference. It’s the promise that is more real.

29. Path of Life

Psalm 16.11

Thou wilt shew me the path of life:

 This unconditional promise that the Lord will show me the path of life means more than merely point the way; He will put me on the path. Even more, Jesus says that He is the Path; He is also the Life. He who believes in Him is on, or in, the Way to Life and even already has the Life.

For the original Psalm writer, David, the path of life did not immediately mean eternal life and life after death. It is Jesus who further developed the concept of “Life” to mean Eternal Life and that that eternal life is the life of God Himself and it begins right now on this earth, and never ends. Thus “path of life” for the NT believer means eternal life (the true God and Jesus Christ); he who believes “has” eternal life (not “going to have”) right now on earth and will have it forever after earthly life is ended.

David the writer and prophet most likely understood “path of life” to mean the best way to live and enjoy the gift of life on earth to its fullest measure; it meant a rich and full life in constant communion with the living God; it meant God would abundantly grant and provide this quality of life as long as he lives. The path of life is keeping the commandments of the covenant, seeking forgiveness when failing, and having a heart for God at all times. Most people know this path is blessed and the consequences of staying on the path are better, but the fearer of God realizes he cannot do it himself and needs God’s support, teaching and help. God will show him the way.

That this “path” may lead to a blessed life after death, to heaven, does not even come into consideration; an end or goal of the path of life is not even in the picture. Living today, and getting from day to day, with the Lord is the best life. God promises a good life. That that life is eternal and goes on after physical death is coincidental and irrelevant, though true.

28. No Sheol

Psalm 16.10

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell;

Neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

 The amazing unconditional promise for our soul is that it won’t stay in Sheol/Hades (Hebrew and Greek for the Nether World). Many cultures throughout the ancient world believed in something after death. For the Hebrews and Greeks and others after death some shadowy existence continued in Sheol/Hades. The figures were called shades; they had some conscious awareness but very little that could be called lifen. No one knew much about it, but it was not pleasant even though it did not seem to be particularly painful either. Every dead soul, believer or unbeliever, went to the underworld along with the evil angels and demons of the devil, and the place was literally “under the earth.” Hints and glimpses of life with God in heaven was here and there in the OT but very little was given to go on. The concept of resurrection was rare and fleeting. Hope and belief in resurrection and afterlife grew until the time of Jesus, but it was dim, vague, uncertain and controversial. But that there was some kind of underworld called Sheol for souls after death was never doubted. English has no word for Sheol/Hades other than “hell,” so hell we must use.

Then out of the blue comes this remarkable promise in Psalm 16 v. 10, that God would not leave his soul in Sheol. Deliverance from this sort of shadowy, eternal prison was unheard of. That everyone would die and go to hell was assumed and never doubted; but that anyone could be delivered out of hell was not on anyone’s radar. Several times the Psalmist describes being delivered “from” death and Sheol but he had never quite entered into hell. “Out of” presumes one is already in hell and will be set free from its confines. This is the meaning of “not leave in.” Apparently the righteous souls in hell before Jesus went there were liberated from there to go to heaven; this happened during Jesus’ descent into hell. A portion of Hades was also called ‘Paradise,” or even “the Elysian Fields” in Classical literature. In this way and at this time the promise was fulfilled: Jesus descended into hell (the realm of the dead) to proclaim victory and liberate the captives. Ultimately, at the End, death and hell (hades/Sheol) gave up its dead and is cast into the lake of fire, which is the second death. (Revelation 20:13, 14)

Although we are not delivered “out of” hell, we are delivered “from” hell; we have abundant and certain promise that we shall not experience hell at all. However, what will happen to the body? It is buried or burned and awaits the resurrection of the body. However, one human body, and only one, called the Holy One, did not see corruption or decay. This incorruption of the body in the tomb is prophesied here in Psalm 16. According to Peter in Acts 2;31, David, the Psalmist and prophet, foresaw the resurrection of the Christ from the dead and that his body did not see corruption.

Though not here given as a promise for us, we know that the resurrection of our human body is a promise for us as it is for all human beings. The first resurrection is the resurrection of the body of Jesus; we who believe in Him have a part in His resurrection and are guaranteed that our body will rise again to eternal life and the second death has no power over us..

The deliverance of the soul from hell is promised to the faithful; the resurrection of the body is promised to the only Holy One, Messiah, in verse 10.

27. Unmoved

Psalm 16.8

I have set the Lord always before me:

because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Another promise of immovability; standing firm, strength, and solidity is given by the Lord. He can promise that I shall not be moved because He is at my right hand; the right hand is a position of strength for the person that the right hand man is protecting and fighting for. Since the Lord is on our side I will not fear what man can do to me; I know that no one can be against us; I will not give in to temptation; I will not be moved to compromise my beliefs and the promises I live by. Jesus through his life sustained himself by maintaining a constant actual sense of the presence of the Lord. The combined powers of earth and hell could not move Him. The same presence and power is available to us His followers. It was so with David: God in David’s eyes was no abstraction, but a Person, real, living, walking at his side.

Whatever bad things come my way I will not give in to worry, anxiety, panic, fear or doubt. Nothing can move me from the position of hope, peace, joy, confidence and faith. Against all odds and against deceitful appearances I will be able to maintain a simple trust in my God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Nothing will move me from that position of security and strength.

I can count on His promise of immovability because He promises to be with me always, so I have a Great Warrior standing beside me to drive away the temptations to sin and despair by which my enemies seek to drag me down. Since nothing can chip away at the optimistic strength I have been given I do not need to complain, grumble, groan, moan, blame, become angry or irritated; my Shepherd is caring for me and my Victor is winning for me. I am free to enjoy God’s life and rich blessings.

26. Inheritance

Psalm 16:5, 6

The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup:

Thou maintainest my lot.

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places;

yea, I have a goodly heritage.

 The Promise of Land is an unconditional promise for the Israelite to whom the physical Promised Land was first given, conquered, possessed and apportioned. The Book of Joshua records the fulfillment of this promise. The Promise of Inheritance is an unconditional promise for the NT believer in Jesus Christ to whom the spiritual and eternal Kingdom of God was (and still is) given. This “Kingdom Land” is eternal in the heavens kept for believers in Christ. “He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.”   I Peter 1:3-4)

Also, you who heard the gospel and believed in Him were sealed with the Holy Spirit, “who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it.” Ephesians 1:14. The “Land, the Promised Land, and the Promise of Land” throughout the OT is meant for us in the NT. The physical geographical land becomes the spiritual Land, which is the spiritual Kingdom of God, the heavenly City, a better country, the New Jerusalem, Paradise, the new heaven and new earth. This transition of physical land to spiritual kingdom was announced by Jesus Christ and fulfilled in his life, death, and resurrection. A goodly heritage moves beyond land, place and temple to grace and the presence of God. Faithful optimism is a life lived in communion with God.

The further mysterious nature of this mystery and its fulfillment is the “already and not yet” aspects of the “Land.” The physical “by sight” enjoyment of the eternal land will not yet be realized until Christ returns at the Last Day. However, the “already” part of the promise has been fulfilled as heaven lives in the hearts of believers even now before that Day comes. This is the present “portion of mine inheritance, my lot,” the pleasant boundary lines, and a “goodly heritage.” All this inherited land is given to me, sealed in my heart by the Spirit, enjoyed by me here and now, and lives as a certain hope of future reality after death. “In your presence there is fullness of joy…pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16: 11).

Ultimately, God has given himself to us as our inheritance in such a way that we are always maintained in the enjoyment of the promise. If we have Him what more could we desire? Savonarola says, “What must not he possess who possesses the Possessor of all?” Paul says: “All things are yours…and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. (I Corinthians 3:21, 23)

25. Unmoved

Psalm 15. 5

He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

 For the fulfillment of this promise of unshakable stability the same 10 requirements apply as in the previous conditional promise of #24, Psalm 15. The same “active obedience” of Jesus Christ applies also, in that “in Christ” the believer has met the perfect obedience requirements of the Law and so claims the promise.

The promise for the one who does these things is that he shall never be moved, that he is unshakable, steadfast, solid, and never stumble and fall. This promise we need to apply all the time, but particularly when times are tough and life is wobbly we need to take hold of this “unmovable” promise. We may even be driven to a prostrate position on a sickbed in utter weakness, but we will still be able to stand firm and walk and not faint. Solidity and strength, like a “pillar of the church,” enables the weak believer to stand up in spirit on the solid rock and boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in the face of enemy onslaught. After the battle the weak and prone believer is still standing upright, standing on the promises of God the Savior.

The fundamental stability is that of a righteous person abiding in the tabernacle of the Presence, which can be in public worship or in private devotion. He shall not be removed from God’s house but remain in the Presence. Even when the cosmos totters, Zion remains unshaken and the believer finds sanctuary from the collapsing world. And when the cosmos isn’t tottering, the Presence is still the place to be firmly situated.

24. The Presence of God

Psalm 15.1, 2

Lord who shall abide in thy tabernacle?

Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

He that walketh uprightly….

 Abiding and dwelling in the Presence of God (His tabernacle, His holy hill) is a coveted prize and treasure that one would sell all that he has to obtain it. Heaven on earth is what we want, and it is what God promised. God dwells on earth in a particular location: on the Ark of the Covenant inside the Holy of Holies inside the Tabernacle (later, the Temple). This is where God could be found, invisible, with no idol or graven image to represent Him. This was His dwelling place; this was heaven on earth. The coveted promise was that human beings who loved and feared the Lord could dwell Him in His earthly Presence.

Psalm 27:4: “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” To be in the presence of God is still a wonderful blessing and fulfilled promise, but the presence of God since Jesus came to earth, died and rose from the dead is in the hearts of those who believe in Him. There God dwells and we live in Him. The promise is that I may dwell and abide in the presence of God at all times and that I can enter into His dwelling place when in need. Can I go to heaven? Yes, I can “go to heaven” any time I need to. That is my hope; that is God’s promise.

But, as a conditional promise, the entrance qualifications are very stringent: it is given to the one who: 1) walks with integrity, 2) speaks the truth from the heart, 3) does not trip over his tongue, 4) does no wrong to his fellowman, 5) casts no slur on his neighbor, 6) despises a vile person, 7) honors those who fear the Lord, 8) swears to his own hurt and wavers not, 9) does not lend his money at interest, 10) does not accept a bribe against the innocent. The positive and negative aspects of thee commands completes a life characterized by active goodness and by the absence of evil.

Those who keep these 10 commandments may come into God’s presence and dwell with the Lord while living on the earth. But, as with all the Laws of Moses, the requirements are impossible for sinners to meet. Therefore, all are excluded. Ah, but One entered into the Most Holy Place and sprinkled his own innocent blood on the mercy seat of the Presence; by doing so, He gave to all who believe in Him the power to enter into the very Presence of God: in heaven after death, or in heaven on earth during this life. This Man, Jesus Christ, fulfilled all these 10 requirements in our place, took our disobedience upon Himself, declared us in complete compliance and obedience (he who is saved is one who has holiness). “Without holiness no man shall see God,” but with holiness he may see God. I may lay claim to imputed obedience and thus He opened the way into the Holy of Holies, the very Presence of God in heaven, both in the heaven in heaven and in the heaven on earth.

23. Preservation

Psalm 12.7

Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, 

thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

 The promise is for the poor and needy: the Lord will keep them and preserve them. All humans are poor and needy, the only difference being that some don’t know it yet. The sooner we admit to being truly poor and needy the sooner we can rest under the shadow of God’s promises: He will keep and preserve us. Those who are physically and financially poor and needy have an easier time seeing and admitting their dependence and helplessness; and for them, the sooner the promises come to pass. Psalm 121:8: “The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth and even forevermore.”

Those who are not physically and financially poor and needy have a harder time recognizing their need for God and their dependence upon Him alone for peace, safety, health and wellbeing. To the degree that we “need” to that degree God helps, keeps us safe and preserves our life. Spiritual poverty and neediness is not so easy to see with physical eyes and with a mind of reason. Seeing our own poverty, emptiness, helplessness and dependency comes to our vision when we repent of pride and self-sufficiency and self-centeredness. Then the Holy Spirit reveals through the gospel that He will meet our real needs and fill the empty with good things.

“Generation” = all the people living on earth at a particular time period. Whenever we lived, or wherever we have dwelt in the world, that particular generation of people who lived then and there is in and of the world, and the world is an instrument of the Enemy to assail the children of God. The Lord promises to preserve us from the destructions that come to us through the temptations of the world. We need this promise to be preserved from going the way of the world.

22. Safety

Psalm 12.5

For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord;  I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.

 For the sake of, and for the help of, the poor and needy the Lord promises to arise and put the poor and needy in safety. First, we humble ourselves through contrition and repentance to realize that are poor and needy (dust and ashes). Second, we trust in the Lord to go to battle for us and rescue us and put us in the safe house, where the enemy can only puff at us but cannot bring us down. Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity.

First, we are helpless and dependent; second, He fights and keeps us safe; third, we rest secure under His care and protection. The enemy oppresses us and we sigh because of the feeling of helplessness. Then God arises: arise means to get up and get ready for battle in spiritual warfare. He defeats the enemy and places us in safety where the enemy cannot harm us, behind the shield of faith and the armor of righteousness and under the covering and cleansing blood of Jesus Christ.

The promise, “I will set him in safety,” is coming into the presence of God, which has been called a refuge, fortress, hiding place, rock, high place, strong tower, and such symbols of safe places where one can be kept safe and secure from the enemy. We live our lives surrounded by spiritual enemies all the time who may oppress us at will. In time of need when attacked or tempted the Lord promise to protect the oppressed poor and needs and make them safe. He promises rest, deliverance and salvation from the enemies of the humble and needy, who long for repose in the bosom of God.

And, by the way, in verse 6, following after this promise, it says that the promises of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace purified seven times. God’s promises are precious and reliable.

21. Love and Behold

Psalm 11.7

For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness;

His countenance doth behold the upright.

Once again, believers in Jesus Christ claim this promise for themselves because in Christ they are righteous and upright. The promise is for those who are right with God, which condition has been fulfilled by Christ. Jesus is “the Lord is our Righteousness.” (Jeremiah 23:6). The Lord is intrinsically righteous, dwells only with righteousness, and loves righteousness. The righteous Lord loves us but cannot abide our sin; therefore He sent His Son to take away the sin, which He abhors and put in its place the righteousness, which He loves. He is essential righteousness, and He would naturally love His own resemblance,p; He would love the beauty of holiness which has been worked inside the faithful by the Holy Spirit. With a face full of love He beholds and speaks peace.

Therefore we can be assured of this promise of God’s love. No matter who we are or what we have done God loves us for He sees Christ our righteousness in us. Of this promise we can be certain.

The Lord’s countenance also beholds the upright, that is, His smiling face is looking upon us with tenderness and loving care. His countenance is “lifted up,” (Numbers 5:26) meaning his face is grinning at us, the corners of mouth and eyes tilting upward in a smile of tender love and charming grace: He is happy with us: “He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love.” God’s countenance (face) means His presence with us to bless: the Lord promises His presence will be with us to give protection, provision and whatever we need. Nothing in life can rival God’s smiling, loving, peaceful and powerful presence in the center of our hearts and lives. And the promise is that He is looking on us all the time with interest and devotion;e is looking on us all the time with interest and devotion; His feeling and intention toward will never waver, and He will always be there for us to turn to Him at all times and any time.

All this “beholding” is God’s doing and comes from His eternal being; we only receive and believe this promise by maintaining faith in Christ through the hearing of the Gospel.