PSALM 16:8-11 – 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.”

Today’s Psalm is a treasure chest of blessings!  There is the stability in walking with the Lord – I shall not be shaken. There is a deep joy and satisfaction in the Lord – therefore my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices. There is confidence in being protected by the Lord – my flesh also dwells secure. There is the assurance of never being forsaken by the Lord – for You will not abandon my soul to Sheol or let your holy one see corruption. There is the promise of guidance through life – you make known to me the path of life.  There is an abundance of the Lord’s joy in our lives – in your presence there is fullness of joy.  And there is the most satisfying experience a person will ever have – being at the right hand of God and enjoying His pleasures forever.

All these blessings belong to God’s children, but there is a “catch” or condition to meet.  What does David do prior to making that beautiful list of blessings from the Lord? It is in his opening statement – I have set the Lord always before me.

The picture David paints is one of close followship.  He doesn’t get ahead of the Lord or lag behind Him.  David consciously acknowledges the Lord as His Master, and his position as a willful and submissive servant.  And what David does we must also.   To start the day and continue throughout the day setting the Lord always before us. Such action involves at least two things.

First, acknowledge the Lord first thing in the morning.  Don’t just send a quick burst of prayer to Him – actually take the time and give the Lord all that is on your daily schedule.  Tell Him your desire to bring honor and glory to Himself through you.  Then confess your constant need of His grace and power to help you live for such honor and glory.

The next thing to do is to remember throughout the day what we did in the morning. We made the Lord the driving force in our lives.  This will be important when things don’t go as planned, and they rarely do.  If we remember that we set the Lord always before us in the morning, we won’t get upset, frustrated, and complain over unexpected changes in our planned schedules.  Why?  Because we are following the Lord and that means everything that happens to us comes from Him for His glory and our good.  Followers don’t call the shots in life. The leader does. Or in our case, the One we set before us is the leader, not us.

So, how do we enjoy the many blessings from the Lord?  Start by surrendering our lives to Him each morning. That means we follow David’s example – I have set the Lord always before me.

PRAYER: “Father, may I learn to start my day and continue my day by setting You ever before me.”

QUOTE: “Live conscious of God’s leading you throughout the day.  You will have more joy in doing so.”