Daily Devotional

-August 20, 2021-

Good morning, happy Friday,

-Focusing On The Lord As Our Priority-

“I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.”

(Psalm 16:8).

Psalm 16 is another psalm written by David, who wrote more than half of them. This particular psalm has the title or heading, “A Michtam of David.” There are six psalms, all written by David, that are called michtams in the King James and New King James versions of the Bible. We know so little about this word, though many suggest it means atonement. Many scholars suggest the word comes from the Hebrew word, miktab , meaning “writing.” Some believe it may even come from the Hebrew word, katham, meaning “golden.” It would mean an engraving of gold, a great value, much like when albums went golden by how many records were sold. Now days we speak of them going platinum.

This psalm is especially beautiful and precious for every believer in Christ. In Psalm 16:3 David writes, “As for the saints who are on the earth, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” David greatly loved the Lord and all the Lord’s people. This psalm like most every one of his psalms is very personal.

David says, “I have set the Lord always before me.” What does he mean by this? It simply means that the Lord is his continual focus and priority. David was king of Israel and was a very busy man, just as we are today. David took time to spend with the Lord and in His Word. He always sought the Lord’s guidance before going out to battle, and the Lord gave him victory in every one.

There were two times where David did lose focus on the Lord: when he committed adultery and murder in connection with Bathsheba, and when he numbered the people. In both cases God chastened him severely and the results were devastating to David and his family, and to all Israel as well. But for all his life, other than the aforementioned sins, he honored and obeyed God. He put the Lord first in his life and sought to please Him.

When David focused his life on the Lord and put Him as the priority of his life, he found strength in the midst of the hardest and harshest circumstances of life. He was confident that the Lord was with him at all times. He exclaims, “Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.” He knew that he was never alone, God was with him. He claimed all the promises of God.

At times we feel we are all alone and the whole world is against us. We get discouraged when things seem to all be going wrong. We need to trust the Lord, focus on Him and what He has done for us, and is so doing for us. We will not be moved. We may get jolted, but we do not give up, fall apart, or lose heart.

The hymn writer Helen H. Lemmel wrote, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” Stop and look to Jesus; He will show you His light and glory to guide through the darkest nights. Others may leave, forsake us, or turn against, but the Lord never will.

Have a blessed day with Jesus. Focus on Him, make Him and His work your priority. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean