Psalm 16 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 16 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
Verse 2I say to the Lord, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you."
Verse 3As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble, in whom is all my delight.
Verse 4Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names upon my lips.
Verse 5The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
Verse 6The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage.
Verse 7I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.
Verse 8I keep the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Verse 9Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure.
Verse 10For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the Pit.
Verse 11You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Devotion
Vs. 10 “For you will not abandon me…”
For two weeks a pair of rollerblades sat on a large rock at the entrance to our subdivision until a police officer happened by to retrieve them. As he was about to drive away, a neighbor kid ran down the street claiming the rollerblades as his own.
The rollerblades, once abandoned, became valuable once they were about to disappear. How often do we neglect possessions until someone tries to get rid of them? How often do we fail to protect earth’s resources? How often do we intentionally or unintentionally neglect friends or family? When are the moments they become valuable?
It is reassuring to know that God’s grace will never disappear. We will never be abandoned or forgotten. The promise of inherited grace is invaluable—even when we neglect or reject it. God never tires of gifting grace. Let us rejoice and be glad!
Prayer
Gracious God, give us glad hearts and rejoicing spirits in response to your promise of everlasting love. Amen.
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