SETTING BOUNDARIES.
“As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips.” Psalm 16:3-4
David was an “eyes wide open” kind of guy. A lot of people bury their heads in the sand because they do not want to know the truth. They just want to be left alone to live their own life and chance it at the end. Either they will choose God on their death bed, or persist in the belief God does not exist. David took note of the outcome of people’s lives. Those who followed God were blessed and who he wanted to associate with. But those who pursued other “gods” were not the kind of people David pursued.
The pursuit of other gods is a double whammy: First, they refuse the help of the one true God who can and will help. Second, their hopes are dashed because the gods they look to are unable to help - hence their sorrows double. The definition of “other gods” are those that have to be installed because they are of one’s own choosing and therefore, are not legitimate (real). Our God is not installed, He is I AM). This was why David would not pour out libations of blood (offerings, toast, pay tribute) or even speak their names. It was because they were phony.
“Don’t be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.” I Corinthians 15:33
SECURING BOUNDARIES.
“Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” Psalm 16:5-6
David’s faith in God was so strong that even though he had nothing, he had enough. Forced from his home and on the run from a mad king and his 300 warriors, yet his lot was secure; forced to live in caves or under the open skies, yet his boundary lines were pleasant places; forced from his family inheritance and with no promise of anything changing, yet it was delightful. Who lives this way or thinks like this? People who believe in God.
When David entrusted his life to God he meant it. As long as he and God were good, then life was good - regardless of where he was, who he was with or what he had. David knew that this life was not “it”, and that God was in heaven where he would one day go. This was why he was content - he had a delightful inheritance in God.
“Though the fig-tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Habakkuk 3:17-18
From Sermon Notes April 3, 2022
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