Psalm 16:5–11 5The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: Thou maintainest my lot. 6The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; Yea, I have a goodly heritage. 7I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: My reins also instruct me in the night seasons. 8I have set the Lord always before me: Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: My flesh also shall rest in hope. 10For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; Neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 11Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Just yesterday I had a conversation with a friend about looking into the face of God and this song was mentioned.
O I want to see him, look upon his face, there to sing forever of his saving grace; on the streets of Glory let me lift my voice; cares all past, home at last, ever to rejoice.
I was reminded of this song when I finished today’s reading from the Psalms. Did you pay attention to that last verse?
Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
In his Pentecost sermon the Apostle Peter explained how Psalm 16 was not written about David, but it is a prophecy about the Lord Jesus Christ and his resurrection. He quotes Psalm 16:11 but look at how he phrases it.
Acts 2:28 “Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.”
In other words, he said, “you will make me full of joy with your face”.
Moses asked to see the face of God, but his request was denied.
Exodus 33:20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
Mankind lost the ability to behold the countenance of God at the fall. You see, sinners can’t see the face of God and live. Well, they couldn’t until Jesus came. Our Lord died and then defeated death, he removed our curse so we can do what Moses could not, stare into the very face of God.
I have often thought about what it would be like to see the face of God, haven’t you?
I have experienced love.
I have felt the rush of seeing someone I adore look back at me with eyes lit with love.
I know from God’s Word that experience held just a hint of the pleasure that comes from the gaze of God.
Father, you will fill me full of joy when I get to see your face and I just can’t wait!
There are pleasures in your presence. I believe it! I know that day is coming because of Christ but I also know there are lots to be had of this joy in the present.
Please help me to walk with you now until I can see you soon in Heaven.
O, I want to see YOU, look upon YOUR face, there to sing forever of YOUR saving grace; on the streets of Glory let me lift my voice; cares all past, home at last, ever to rejoice.
2021 Bible Reading Plan
January 26, 2021