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Psalm 16 is one of my favorite Psalms. In verse 2, David writes, “I say to the LORD, ‘You are my Lord;
Apart from you I have no good thing.’ ”
It’s Christmas and everybody wants Good Things! Kids look longingly at all the presents under the tree, thinking about all the good things that that they will receive. Adults want good things too. As the saying goes, That which separates men from boys is the price of their toys. True for women and girls too, I’m sure.
The best Good Things come from the LORD. Psalm 16 is like a Christmas tree with lots of gifts underneath. Gifts like –
security (vs5)
boundary lines in pleasant places (vs6)
delightful inheritance (vs6)
Godly counsel (vs7)
glad heart (vs9)
a body that rests secure (vs9)
no fear of death (vs10)
path of life (vs11)
joy (vs11)
eternal pleasures (vs11)
and the best Christmas present – God’s presence (vs11)
These gifts are way better than an iphone 10, Play Station or a Sony 50” TV. How do we go about acquiring these Good Things?
David tells us the secret in verse 8, “I keep my eyes always on the LORD.” That reminds me of Hebrews 12:2, Let us “fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Also sounds a bit like Colossians 3:1-2, “Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above.”
To get the Good Things of God we need to keep our eyes on the LORD, to fix our eyes on Jesus –
Jesus in the manger
Jesus turning water into wine
Jesus walking on water
Jesus multiplying the bread and fish
Jesus’ compassion on the sick, blind, and demon possessed
Jesus’ love for the sinners and tax collectors
Jesus’ death on the cross for the forgiveness of sins
Jesus’ resurrection from the dead for our justification
This Christmas, instead of asking Santa for good things in our stockings, lets thank Jesus for the Good Things He has already given us, and that are available to us in abundance if we keep our eyes on HIM.
Merry Christmas from the
Schwab Family
Today is Tifani’s birthday. She is my oldest daughter and I dedicate this post to her. In Romans chapter
12 we find five ways to be, five ways to treat one another and five Do Not’s. Considering and living out these 15 admonitions from Paul we can all experience happier birthdays, merrier Christmas’s and happier lives.
The Five Be’s
Be devoted to one another in love.
Be spiritually passionate, serving the Lord.
Be joyful in hope.
Be patient in affliction.
Be faithful in prayer.
Five Ways to Treat One Another
Share with one another.
Rejoice with one another.
Mourn with one another.
Live in harmony with one another.
Live in peace with one another.
Five Do Nots.
Do not be proud.
Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil.
Do not take revenge.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:9-21
God loves us and wants us to be happy. He inspired Paul to write these words so that we would take them to heart, put them into practice and live in right relationship with God and our fellow human beings. I think of them as 15 gifts around the birthday cake or presents under the Christmas tree. Each one to be carefully unwrapped, treasured and used daily.
To Enjoy God 