Thursday Psalms: Beautiful Inheritance!

Blessed Thursday to each of you, in the name of Jesus, your beautiful inheritance!  

Psalm 16 

¹ Preserve me, O God, for in You I take refuge.

² I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord

     I have no good apart from You.”

³ As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,

     in whom is all my delight.

⁴ 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.

⁵ The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;

     You hold my lot.

⁶ The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

     indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

⁷ I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;

     in the night also my heart instructs me.

⁸ I have set the Lord always before me;

     because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

⁹ Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;

     my flesh also dwells secure.

¹⁰ For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol,

     or let Your holy one see corruption.

¹¹ You make known to me the path of life;

     in Your presence there is fullness of joy;

        at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Verses 7-10 especially describe the baptized life a Christian, in whom God Himself lives and leads.  God constantly gives us counsel, instructing us as we walk our lives.  This amazing gift of God comes to us in our baptism and by the Word of God.  Nonetheless, we must constantly strive to set the Lord always before us, so we won't be shaken, and so Satan will not be able to pull us away.  What great joy is ours every day, what security we have, because we know that God has and does keep His promises!  

God has numbered your days on this earth, but your bodily death should neither frighten nor shake you.  Because Jesus sacrificed Himself on Calvary's cross, willingly taking the punishment for all of your sins, you will not be abandoned to hell as every one of us deserves.  Rather, you have a beautiful inheritance, to enjoy pleasures forevermore, at the right hand of Jesus in heaven!   

Dear Father in heaven, 

As I walk through many challenges and difficulties in my life, I often get discouraged.  When I turn away and set other things before me, I shake in fear and doubt.  Teach me to set You always before me.  Knowing You are at my right hand, keep me ever faithful and confident in the beautiful inheritance You have given to me, through Jesus Christ, Your Son and my Savior.  Amen.

Your servant in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188 

We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

     Sharing God’s Love & Mercy with Each Other & the World.

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Soli Deo Gloria

"The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble."  Psalm 9:9