Introduction

Good morning, dear friends. It is truly a blessing to gather together in this sacred space, united in our faith and our shared desire to grow closer to our Creator. Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the wisdom of Psalm 16.

In the words of the great Christian theologian J.I. Packer, "Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life's problems fall into place of their own accord." This sentiment, my friends, is the very essence of our gathering here today. We are here to know God, to understand His teachings, and to apply His wisdom to our lives.

Let us now open our Bibles to Psalm 16 and read together:

"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."

Trusting Transcendence

The psalmist begins with a plea, "Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge." This is more than a simple request for protection. It is a declaration of reliance on God, an admission that without His divine intervention, the psalmist is vulnerable. This is a profound statement of trust in God's transcendence, His ability to intervene in our lives in ways that are beyond our comprehension. It's about recognizing that God is not confined by the limitations of our earthly existence. He is above and beyond all that we know and understand.

This trust in God's transcendence is an active choice to place our lives in God's hands, to believe that He is in control even when our circumstances suggest otherwise. It's about choosing to believe in God's goodness and His power, even when we can't see the evidence of it in our lives. This trust is not blind faith; it is faith rooted in the knowledge of God's character and His promises.

The psalmist continues, "I say to the Lord, 'You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.'" This is a declaration of God's sovereignty, an acknowledgment that all good things come from Him. It's about recognizing that our very existence is dependent on God, that without Him, we are nothing. This is not a statement of self-deprecation, but a recognition of our rightful place in relation to God. We are His creation, dependent on His love and mercy for our very existence.

The psalmist goes on to say, "The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot." This is a statement of contentment, a declaration that God is enough. It's about finding satisfaction in God, not in the things of this world. This is not a call to asceticism, but a challenge to find our joy and our fulfillment in God.

Finally, the psalmist declares, "I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken." This is a statement of confidence, a declaration of God's faithfulness. It's about believing that God is with us, that He will never leave us or forsake us. This is not a claim of invincibility, but a declaration of our security in God.

Ties That Bind

In the heart of Psalm 16, we find a deep connection between the psalmist and God ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO