I HAVE SET THE LORD ALWAYS BEFORE ME Psalm 16 03/18/2018

11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psa 16:11)

8 I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. (Psa 16:8)

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH GOD’S CREATION. LET NATURE HELP YOU DRAW CLOSE TO GOD... It tells of His glory and His knowledge.

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. (Psa 19:1-2)

It impresses us with His eternal power and His deity . 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. (Ro 1:20)

In their own way, such inanimate objects worship God. 8 the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. (Psa 68:8)

11 The Lord announces the word, and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng: 12 “Kings and armies flee in haste; the women at home divide the plunder. 13 Even while you sleep among the sheep pens, the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver, its feathers with shining gold.” (Psa 68:11-13)

OTHERS USED NATURAL SETTINGS IN DRAWING CLOSER TO GOD... Isaac would go out into the fields to meditate (Gen 24:63). Jesus would often go to the mountains to pray (Mt 14:23).

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH GOD’S REVELATION GOD’S WORD PROVIDES THE FULL REVELATION OF GOD... Through nature we are limited in what we can learn from God. It is only through Divine revelation that God has made His Will fully known.

3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. (Eph 3:3-5)

OTHERS DEPENDED UPON THE WORD TO REMAIN CLOSE TO GOD... David used it in many ways to stay close to God. (Psa 119:92-93,105,147-148) 92 If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. 93 I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life. (Psa 119:92-93)

Jesus used it to ward off the Tempter. (Mt 4:4,7,10) 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Mt 4:4)

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH YOUR PRAYERS A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP MUST BE A TWO-WAY STREET...

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6- 7)

The means by which to draw boldly to God, to obtain mercy and grace to help. (He 4:14-16) 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (He 4:16)

OTHERS FOUND PRAYER THE MEANS TO RECEIVE HELP FROM GOD... David found that confessing sins to God brought forgiveness. (Psa 32:3-6 Jesus found prayer to be a source of strength in times of trial. (Mt 26:36-44)

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH YOUR FELLOWSHIP STRENGTH COMES FROM ASSEMBLING TOGETHER... Just as there is strength in numbers.

9 Two are better than one, because they 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. (Ecc 4:9-10)

11 Also, if two lie down together, they will. keep warm 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (Ecc 4:11-12

In view of the very real danger of falling away... We need to exhort one another daily. (He 3:12-13) We need to admonish one another through our frequent assemblies. (He 10:24-25)

THE EARLY CHURCH FOUND STRENGTH BY ASSEMBLING TOGETHER... As when Peter and John were released after being arrested. (Acts 4:23-31) As when Peter was imprisoned. (Acts 12:12)

OUR ASSEMBLIES CAN BE A FORETASTE OF GOD’S PRESENCE... In which we drawn near to God together through song, prayer, and His word. In which we enjoy the fellowship of God and His servants even now. (cf. Re 7:9-17)

11 In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psa 16:11)

I HAVE SET THE LORD ALWAYS BEFORE ME Psalm 16 03/18/2018