This is part 4 of a look through the Psalms. Read the rest of the devotionals here..
“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” (Psalm 16:1-2).
This Psalm was written as a celebration of the joy that can come from knowing the Lord. David may have written this when he was facing opposition or he could have been in danger. Through this trial he was convinced the Lord was he refuge and will save him from death. David realized that unless he trusted solely in the Lord he would have no good thing.
We have a personal God. We have a chance to know Him as our Friend. We can grow closer to His presence. It’s something necessary: to take refuge in the Lord and to be with Him always. That intimacy with God can be something to crave.
“Intimacy with God? It’s pretty simple really. It’s not a pillar we sit on; it’s a house we live in. It’s not a list of dos and don’ts; it’s a branch staying connected to the Vine. It’s not striving to know God, but realizing that our Father longs to know us” (Joanna Weaver Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World).
It’s a way of life. Being a Christian is more than religion. It isn’t to be weighed down list of commandments. It’s being connected to the Vine. It’s living.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned” (John 15:5-6).
We have no good apart from the Vine. No good doing anything alone. Jesus says we will be tossed into the Fire if we are apart from Him. And God promises throughout scripture that when we take that step and follow him and fall in love with Him, he will do the same.
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you” (Jeremiah 29:13).
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (James 4:7-8).
“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6).
Our relationship with God is like any relationship. It takes work and communication. We cannot expect Him to work in our lives, if we do not meet Him halfway.
We can grow closer to the Lord through prayer, studying his Word, silence, worship, fellowship and many other disciplines. Through that time we spend with the Lord and getting to know Him, He promises us joy and peace.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13).
Open your heart to the Lord today. Tell Him that He is your God and that you will serve Him only.
