Psalm 16: a relationship with God is our birthright
April 2, 2006 § Leave a Comment
“My birthright, my cup is Yahweh,” David writes in verse 5. It is interesting how he regards his relationship with God. He sees it as his inheritance. Leaving aside Levitical implications, it is worth it to think how we have a sinful nature by birth – since we are born in sin – and how we also inherit a relationship with God at birth. It is our right for the taking. Never let anyone say they didn’t inherit anything! Along with the poison, we get the antidote!
The promise made in Psalm 15:5 is reiterated here in verse 8: “I keep Yahweh before me always, for with him at my right hand, nothing can shake me.” But isn’t this the hardest thing? When I fall, I am ashamed to go back to God. If I’ve just let Him down when I knew better, how dare I show my face to Him again? But there’s the catch! I must, we must, if we’re to gain forgiveness and salvation! The old adage is, when you fall off the horse, you get right back on again. It’s the same in our lives. No matter how many times we fall, if we go right back to God, He will receive us. The important thing is to go back, no matter how horrible we feel, and to ask for forgiveness. Take it back to the promise made in verses 4 and 5 of this psalm! If God is our birthright, it’s our right to appeal to Him for mercy and forgiveness when we fall. Furthermore, it’s our duty! What is said of a king who abdicates? That he forgets his duties! When one is born to be a king and doesn’t do the job, it’s sad indeed. When we’re born with the right to be with God, and we don’t take advantage of it, how much sadder it really is!
If we do take advantage of our birthright, then we can reap the benefits outlined in verses 9 through 11: “So my heart rejoices, my soul delights, my body too will rest secure, for you will not abandon me to Sheol, you cannot allow your faithful servant to see the abyss. You will teach me the path of life, unbounded joy in your presence, at your right hand delight for ever.”
