Go! And Keep Your Eyes on the Lord - Psalm 16:8
Psalm 16:8 (NLT): “I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.”
Introduction: A Picture to Begin
Have you ever tried walking in a straight line while looking over your shoulder? You cannot do it. You stumble, you drift, you trip. Why? Because your eyes are not fixed ahead. In life, many people walk forward while looking backward—at past mistakes, regrets, or pain. Others are distracted by the chaos of the present or the uncertainty of the future. But the psalmist David declares with confidence: “I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.”
This is not wishful thinking. This is not a motivational poster. This is an unshakable truth anchored in the eternal presence of God, fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Today, I want us to see that when our eyes are fixed on the Lord, we can walk through the storms of life with confidence, courage, and peace.
The psalmist says: “I know the Lord is always with me.”
The Hebrew word for “know” here is ša?î (??????????) which carries the sense of “to set before, to place continually.” David is not simply saying, “I think the Lord is here.” He is deliberately, consciously placing God at the centre of his vision. He is choosing to see the Lord as his constant focus.
“Always with me” means at every moment, not just in times of worship, but in the battlefield, in the palace, in the wilderness, in despair, and in joy.
“I will not be shaken” uses the Hebrew mô? (????), meaning “to slip, to totter, to be moved.” It conveys the image of a foundation that will not crumble, no matter the storm.
“For he is right beside me.” This is the language of intimacy. David understood God not as distant but as near, personal, present.
And friends, in Christ Jesus, this truth is magnified—because Emmanuel means God with us.
Point 1: The Unshakable Presence of God in Christ
Matthew 28:20 (NLT): “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Here, Jesus—after His resurrection—makes the same promise David clung to: His presence is constant. But this time it is not a shadow, not a symbol—it is the living risen Christ who walks with us by His Spirit.
David, as king, faced enemies, betrayal, and trials. Yet he said, “I will not be shaken.” Jesus’ disciples faced persecution, prison, and death—but clung to His words, “I am with you always.”
The Hebrew concept of God’s presence (shekinah) pointed to God dwelling with His people. In Christ, God Himself tabernacled among us (John 1:14). Now by the Spirit, He indwells every believer.
Today, many live with fear—economic uncertainty, global unrest, personal struggles. Yet Christ’s promise stands: He is with you in the boardroom, in the hospital, in the classroom, on the bus. You are never abandoned.
Max Lucado: “You’ll get through this. It won’t be painless. It won’t be quick. But God will use this mess for good.”
As Max Lucado reminds us, the presence of God does not mean the absence of pain, but the assurance of purpose. Like David, we can say, “I will not be shaken.”
Picture a child learning to ride a bike. At first, they wobble and fear falling. But when they know their father’s hand is holding the back of the seat, suddenly courage rises. That’s us with God—He is right beside us, steadying us, guiding us.
Point 2: The Unshakable Security of Salvation in Christ
Romans 8:38–39 (NLT): “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”
The Greek word for “convinced” is pepeismai, meaning “fully persuaded, utterly convinced.” Paul is declaring absolute certainty that God’s love in Christ is secure.
David’s confidence in Psalm 16 foreshadowed Christ’s victory. Paul, writing to persecuted believers in Rome, echoes this confidence—our security is not in circumstance but in Christ’s finished work on the cross.
You may lose your job, your health may fail, your relationships may falter—but if you are in Christ, you cannot lose Him. He is the anchor of your soul.
John Piper: “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”
When Christ is our treasure, our security does not depend on shifting sands but on the rock of His unchanging love.
During World War II, the underground church in Europe met in hidden cellars, singing hymns quietly, trembling not with fear but with joy. Why? Because they knew—even if soldiers took their lives—Christ had secured their eternity.
Point 3: The Unshakable Hope of Resurrection
Acts 2:25–28 (NLT): “King David said this about him: ‘I see that the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and my tongue shouts his praises! My body rests in hope. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave. You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.’”
Peter quotes Psalm 16 as fulfilled in Christ! David was speaking prophetically. Christ rose from the grave, and because He lives, we have hope.
The word for “hope” in Acts 2:26 is elpis (??p??), meaning “confident expectation.” Not wishful thinking, but assured reality.
In a culture obsessed with prolonging life yet terrified of death, the Christian stands firm. Death is not the end—it is the doorway to eternal joy in Christ.
Charles Stanley: “Earthly wisdom is doing what comes naturally. Godly wisdom is doing what the Holy Spirit compels us to do.”
And the Spirit compels us to live not in fear of death but in confidence of resurrection life.
The Gospel Call: Christ Beside Us, Christ Within Us, Christ Before Us
David’s words find their ultimate fulfilment in Jesus Christ. He is the one who faced the cross without being shaken. He is the one who rose from the grave. He is the one who promises to be with us always.
But here’s the truth: without Christ, you are shaken. Sin separates you from God. Death becomes terrifying because it leads to judgement. Yet Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came, lived the perfect life you could not live, died the death you deserved, was buried, and rose again victorious. He now offers forgiveness, eternal life, and His unshakable presence to all who repent and trust in Him as Lord and Saviour.
Invitation: Friend, will you place your trust in Jesus today? Will you repent of sin, turn from self, and fix your eyes on Him? You can say with David, “I know the Lord is always with me,” but only if you belong to Christ.
Application: Living Unshaken in a Shaking World
When anxiety grips you, remember: He is with you.
When temptation comes, remember: His Spirit empowers you.
When death threatens, remember: Christ has conquered the grave.
Tim Keller: “You don’t really know Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.”
Beloved, don’t wait until everything else is stripped away. Fix your eyes on Him now.
Benediction / Exhortation:
So go! And keep your eyes on the Lord. Walk into this week with confidence—not because the world is stable, but because your God is unshakable. Let Psalm 16:8 be your declaration: “I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.”
Amen.
