Psalm 16 begins, "Keep me safe, O God."
The very fact that David utters this prayer seems to suggest that he felt anything but safe.
By considering this Psalm we can learn how David handled his fear. We can learn how he moved from insecurity to confidence.
As the Psalm progresses David rehearses all the reasons why he should feel secure:
David recognised that Lord was his refuge (v 2)
He understood that the Lord was his refuge, not in a vague, general or impersonal way. The Lord was HIS refuge. It was very personal and intimate.
"You are my Lord."
But his relationship with the Lord was not only personal, it was exclusive.
"apart from you I have no good thing."
There was no other refuge ... Nothing came close to the reality of God in David's life and experience.
"Thou O Christ art all I want
Thou O Christ art all I need." .... has the same thought.
David rejoiced in God's people (v3)
He valued the people of God that were around him. They were the "glorious ones in whom is all my delight.
David rejoiced in his God-given inheritance (v 5-6) David knew that God's purposes were being worked out in him and in Israel. God had wonderfully blessed them with the land - just as He had promised.
"... you have assigned me my portion ... you have made my lot secure ... the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places."
David rejoiced in God's truth (v 7)
In verse 4 David had refused to run after other gods. Instead, we read in verse 7 that he rejoiced in the "Lord who counsels me". David relied on God's truth to teach and instruct him. He had confidence in God's word.
David had moved from insecurity to confidence
He had considered all the reasons why he should feel secure and confident;
- The Lord was his only refuge
- The Lord's people were his delight
- God's promised blessings were secure
- God's words were true
... and David responded ...
... "Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure." v9
As we recount all the reasons why we should feel secure in the Lord - we too will be able to say,
"Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken."
