Beyond Sunday: Not Shaken

[Editor's note: Beyond Sunday is a Monday refresher to carry you through the week.]

Focus Verse of the Week

I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure… (Psalms 16:8-9)

Classic Commentary

I have set the Lord always before me; and to trust the Lord as our champion and guard is the privilege of every saint; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. The apostle translates this passage, "I foresaw the Lord always before my face" in Acts 2:25 ; the eye of Jesus' faith could discern beforehand the continuance of divine support to his suffering Son, in such a degree that he should never be moved from the accomplishment of his purpose of redeeming his people. By the power of God at his right hand he foresaw that he should smite through all who rose up against him, and on that power he placed the firmest reliance.

He clearly foresaw that he must die, for he speaks of his flesh resting, and of his soul in the abode of separate spirits. Death was full before his face, or he would not have mentioned corruption. But such was his devout reliance upon his God, that he sang over the tomb, and rejoiced in vision of the sepulcher. He knew that the visit of his soul to Sheol, or the invisible world of disembodied spirits, would be a very short one, and that his body in a very brief space would leave the grave, uninjured by its sojourn there; all this made him say, my heart is glad, and moved his tongue, the glory of his frame, to rejoice in God, the strength of his salvation. Oh, for such holy faith in the prospect of trial and of death! It is the work of faith, not merely to create a peace which passeth all understanding, but to fill the heart full of gladness until the tongue, which, as the organ of an intelligent creature, is our glory, bursts forth in notes of harmonious praise. Faith gives us living joy, and bestows dying rest.

(Adapted from the treasury of david, psalm 16:8-9)

A Thought to Keep

"Faith gives us living joy, and bestows dying rest." This lets our hearts be glad no matter the circumstances.