Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Rewarding Confidence
Psalms 16
v11“You make known to me the path of life, you will fill me with joy in your presence , with eternal pleasure at your right hand”.

Psalm 16 illustrates the experience of confidence.  The psalmist believes that God will save his people even in the midst of trials and temptations. Those who trust God amidst their difficulties will be rewarded.
1.      Reward of life and sustenance
This Psalm describes the reward of trust or confidence.   In verses 5- 6, the Psalmist emphasizes that he has chosen to place his confidence in the Lord. Hence, he says that the Lord is “my chosen portion and my cup". The word “portion” is used in the book of Joshua to designate every Israelite’s share in the land. Thus, it represented the possibility of sustenance, life and future. The ‘Cup' here is a metaphor for destiny, the path one’s life will follow.  The Psalmist has chosen a destiny linked to the Lord’s, and he is well satisfied with it. He is content with his allotment in life, and confident that the Lord will sustain him in it.
When the Psalmist says “you are my Lord as in verse 2, he means that he belongs to God. And in a sense, God belongs to the Psalmist as well – not in the sense of ownership but in the sense of relatedness.
2.     Reward of joyful existence
Verses 7- 8 suggest other rewards given to those who trust in the Lord. He receives counsel – that is wisdom and prudence as he seeks the Lord in his heart through prayer. The Psalmist asserts that the Lord is at his right hand, “ I shall not be moved.” This could also have a military interpretation as the right hand often refers to the “sword hand" and the Psalmist could be saying that his confidence in the Lord makes him courageous and steadfast in the battle.  Those who trust in the Lord will fight even the worst battles like disease, distress, death etc. with courage and steadfastness.
The Psalm ends with a positive note of gladness and rejoicing, continued guidance of the Lord along the path of life.

PRAYER
Lord, enable us to experience You as our guiding light in all the paths of our life. Amen

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.”
(C.S. Lewis)

Rev. Joseph Johnny
 
 Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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