Life-Line For Jesus Community Church Nov 2002
Lorenzo Nicholson Sr. Psalm 16:8
Get Set for Time and Eternity
Preparation is made for almost everything that we do in life although we don’t always prepare thoroughly. We do well with some things and not so well with others. Most preparation gets us set for the time frame within which we live. Many people get set for careers, jobs, vacations, dating, marriage, homes and automobiles. The list goes on and on. It is wise to prepare or get set in that things go a lot better when they are planed. It has been said, “If a matter is precisely planed and executed properly, it is never dangerous.” I don’t know how true this is; but I do know that it blesses the life when God has his proper place in our plans. Consider:
I. A wise decision that guarantees the best possible life is set forth in the eighth verse of Psalms 16.
A. 8 “I have set the LORD always before me…” There are several strong points that should be considered here.
1. The word “always” means just what it says. Daily, continually and perpetually I set the Lord before me.
a. Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
b. The Lord is set before the psalmist as if before the eyes: always consulted regarding directions in life.
2. I imagine he put the Lord before himself. When he gave unto the Lord a tithe, he gave in proportion to his income or increase. For us, this is not a matter of law but a matter of principle.
a. Pro 3:9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
b. 1 Cor 16:2 “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him…”
II. The second part of verse 8 reveals the Lord’s support, provision and security, which offer stability in life.
A. “…Because he is at my right hand.” “Right hand” is used as a symbol of strength. With God as the source of your strength, you are able weather the storms of life.
1. Ps 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2. Ps 127:3 Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
B. The latter part of Ps 16:8, “…I shall not be moved” suggest steadfastness or stability in life.
1. It means, “not easily shaken by the trials of life.”
2. Does not easily give in to the temptations that confront us all.
III. There is happiness when the Lord is put before you and not after or behind; his word takes on a different meaning.
A. Ps 16:9 “Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices:
B. Ps 119:111 Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage forever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. 112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes always, even unto the end.
C. There is an end coming for us all. This is where you step out of time into eternity.
IV. When you put The Lord before you, you are blessed if you live and you are blessed even if you die. You cannot loose.
A. Romans 14:8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.
B. You must be “set for time and eternity” because time is temporal. You must have a hope that is beyond the grave. You must have a testimony like the psalmist:
1. Ps 16:9b “…my flesh also shall rest in hope. 10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
2. David, the psalmist, was speaking prophecy by faith but little did he know that Jesus would come along and demonstrate the possibility of such a testimony.
a. Acts 2:25 For David speaketh concerning him (Jesus), I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
b. Through Jesus you may have the same testimony and you will be “set for time and eternity.”
Conclusion: If you already know the Lord, be sure to set him before you in every thing that you do. If you don’t know him, get to know him today. “Get set for time and eternity.” Do it now!
