Psalm 16
I chose to reflect on this Psalm because the imagery of God being a shelter always jumps out and grabs me. To have one of the most essential parts of life promised by God is overwhelming, also implying that within him I will be safe. I long for that, outside of Ozark I do not always feel like I have a place to go that is safe, that I can take refuge in. I also love the imagery of God giving me stability. This Psalm raises the question of being prosperous. Is that not a direct contradiction to Christianity and denying our selves and giving our possessions? I do not interpret this as a health and wealth gospel, but instead as the hope of heaven because of the talk of the future. I know because of my hope in Jesus my future is secure. Speaking of that Jesus may have been thinking that as well. He longed to be back with the father, to be back in his perfect love, but also Jesus probably realized he was the fulfillment of this for everyone. Personally I need to take more time to reflect and learn, I spend to much time trying to hustle through life, to accomplish tasks, when instead I need to take my time and learn with the Lord. From that I will not only learn, but find joy and life. In that being joy, not just temporal happiness, but an everlasting joy that cannot be shaken.
The connection between faith and material prosperity is here and in other psalms as well. Taken to an extreme it can become heresy. This psalm speaks of property and inheritance, but not necessarily in great abundance, but pleasant and delightful. The psalmist is grateful for what he has, and he makes the connection between what he has and the benevolence of God. That delight carries on into the life beyond this one.
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