Your Presence, My Greatest Present

 

I. Bible Passage: 

~ Psalms 16:5-11 NIV

[5] Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. 

[6] The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. 

[7] I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. 

[8] I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

[9] Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 

[10] because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. 

[11] You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

II. Historical Background: 

~ Enduring Word Bible Commentary 

***

David was the youngest son in a family with many sons. He could expect no inheritance from his family; yet he took joy and comfort in the fact that God was the portion of his inheritance, and he knew that he had a good inheritance. The lines that marked out his inheritance had fallen to him in pleasant places.

David’s words here speak of contentment. He is content with what God has given him. A mark of our age – especially with the Baby Boom generation and perhaps even more with those following – is discontentment, boredom, and restlessness. The generation with short attention spans, the constant need for excitement and adrenaline rushes, and 24-hour-a-day entertainment, needs to know by experience what David knew.

David’s heart was instructed first by God and His Word, and therefore his heart could also instruct him in the ways of God. This is an example of the benefits that come from the transformation of thinking spoken of in Romans 12:1-2.

This speaks of a decision David made to put God first in his life. He determined that God would always be his focus, his perspective.

This was the plain result of David’s decision to put God first. There was a standing and security in David’s life that would not have otherwise existed.

David continued to describe the benefits of his decision to set the LORD always before him (Psalm 16:8). This decision brought a gladness and a glory to David’s life.

David described a further benefit of his life decision to set the LORD always before him. It was the confidence of God’s care and blessing in the life beyond. David had the settled hope (a confidence, not a simple wish) that God would not leave his soul in the grave (Sheol), but that his life would continue on in the presence of God.

With these words David seemed to understand that the benefits of this life commitment to God were received in both this life, and the life beyond.

This tells that both in this life and the life beyond, true pleasures forevermore are found at the right hand of God, not in separation from Him.

When we go back to the first verse, we remember that this life of gladness and rejoicing and fullness of joy is not a problem-free life. It is a life that may be challenged and face attack on many levels. Yet in that a life commitment to God has been made and is enjoyed, it is a secure, happy, blessed life.*** 

III. Reflection/Application: 

~ My Personal Takeaway

It's so hard not to be distracted by the fleeting things of this world. I easily get overwhelmed by societal pressures and personal responsibilities and obligations.

Yet this passage reminds me to be satisfied in God's presence, to fix my eyes on Him, and to put Him first in every area of my life. I could fail sometimes but I should get back up again, and start afresh with God's perspective by His strength and His love to pursue the calling and fulfill the purpose He has set for me.

I thank God for all the blessings He has given me, whether tangible or not. I still choose to see the good of my mother's passing. Even if I still had dreams for her and with her that I would like to achieve if God had just extended her life. I still hoped for her healing as I tried to help her in the best way I could with God's guidance on the supplements she could take with the help of an international doctor. Those supplements somehow helped her, but it didn't bring her to full recovery and that led me to draw closer to God all the more how to help Mama that only He could perform supernaturally, beyond what supplements and medical practitioners could do. I constantly prayed for her healing during my quiet times, but after moderate fasting and reading of His word, God taught me to surrender to His will that whatever the outcome of Mama's health, He knew what's best and that I should entrust her to Him.

I never thought that God's answer, a few weeks later, was to end Mama's journey here on earth. It's still very painful despite knowing this inevitable reality, yet I believe that Mama is secured in God's hands.

Looking back, Mama was my biggest cheerleader growing up, especially in my kindergarten, elementary and high school days. She did her best to be physically present in every school competition, event and extracurricular activity I was part of. She taught me how to laugh hard and smile widely. She inspired me to perform my very best in my academic endeavors. I'm grateful for having a mother like her.I will always thank God every time I remember her for having the most loving, caring, selfless and supportive mum this world could offer. I also look forward to the day I could see her there in our eternal home.

I believe that in every trial, there's a hidden favor from God, as I trust Him and obey His will. He never abandons His children. He is always there, both in good and bad times. His truth and His love endures forever.

III. My Prayer/Poetry to God

You are my song in the sunrise and sunset.

You are my anchor in the raging storms.

You are my rock in the shaking ground.

You are my calm after turbulent times.

Thank you, O God, for You are my Father.

Thank you, Jesus, for You are my Lover.

Thank you, Holy Spirit,for You are my Teacher.

You are my all in all - my Now and Forever.

I'm sorry for the times I failed to show up.

I'm sorry for the times I made others upset.

I'm sorry for the times I was not available.

I'm sorry for the times I felt discontented.

O God, may You help me to hope again for the best.

O God, may You restore my joy to obey Your will.

O Lord, may I always be thankful in every circumstance.

O Lord, may I constantly delight in Your presence.

~ S.M. (05.05.25) 

I will treasure our memories together, Mama, for as long as I live. See you there when my time here on earth is done. 💞