ABUNDANT PROVISION

You Will Not Abandon My Soul

A Miktam^{1

16:1
Probably a musical or liturgical term} of David.

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.^{2

16:3
Or To the saints in the land, the excellent in whom is all my delight, I say:}

4 The sorrows of those who run after^{3

16:4
Or who acquire} 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.^{4

16:7
Hebrew my kidneys instruct 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^{5

16:9
Hebrew my glory} rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.
10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption.^{6

16:10
Or see the pit}

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.

Footnotes

[1] 16:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
[2] 16:3 Or To the saints in the land, the excellent in whom is all my delight, I say:
[3] 16:4 Or who acquire
[4] 16:7 Hebrew my kidneys instruct me
[5] 16:9 Hebrew my glory
[6] 16:10 Or see the pit

Have you ever known someone who has gone above and beyond? Maybe a teacher, friend, mentor, or relative?

In my life my Grandma Bonnie has always gone above and beyond the call of "grandmother." She taught me to enjoy baking and to play the accordion. When I was growing up, she let me stir the potato soup with a nail, took me hunting for rose rocks, and had a "grandkids only" pan that was always filled with angel food cake. She is the most influential person in my walk with Christ, encouraging me and challenging me to grow daily. She has loved me through high and low times. The joy of Christ shines in all her words and actions. Her faith leads her to search Scripture so she will respond in a godly manner. That knowledge overflows from her as she imparts wisdom to me so I can make wise decisions.

God has gone above and beyond any expectations I ever could have had for my Creator. The Lord has been teaching me a lot about His abundant provision—how He provides things I need even when I don't know I need them. Throughout the Old Testament, God promised that He would send a Savior because He knew our need for salvation. But He didn't stop at salvation, He went above and beyond! David recognized several ways the Lord provided: safety, purpose, salvation, rest, gladness, guidance, inheritance, presence, joy, and life, just to name a few.

When I praise the Lord for what He's given me, too often I focus on the "earthly stuff," forgetting about the "eternal pleasures" (verse 11). The Lord has blessed me with a great family, community, and talents; but I need to be more intentional and thank Him often for the "good things" (verse 2) that are lasting and life-changing. What does this look like in my life? Recognizing daily that the LORD is my Lord, He is my provider!

1. Who in your life has gone above and beyond? Who would name you as their answer?

2. How have you experienced the Lord's abundant provision in your life recently?

3. If you made a top ten list of things you are thankful for, what would be on that list?