BOUNDARY LINES

(Psalm 16)

...When we look at the creation, it is apparent that God has established all the boundary lines.  This is true whether        we think about _biology_, chemistry, mathematics, astro-physics or _history__, just to name a few.  God has established  the _length__ of our days and their substance.  It is as if God says, “This far and no further.”

...David wrote Psalm 16, which is a song of _trust_ in the Lord.  David had come to know and trust the Lord as his portion in life, and now could trust Him in the face of death.

...This Psalm is also Messianic.  Both Peter and Paul quote it, applying it to the _resurrection_ of Jesus.

TWO STANZAS PRESENTING THE LORD AS BOTH

OUR PORTION IN LIFE AND   _DELIVERER__   IN DEATH.

I.     THE LORD IS DAVID’S PORTION THROUGH LIFE.  (vv 1-8)

            A. David calls upon the Lord to keep him _safe__ while confessing that the Lord was his refuge. (v.1)

                        ....The Lord is his keeper

            B. David’s relationship to the Lord can be seen in the various names he uses for God (v. 1-2)

                        ...EL “_Strong__ One”; Adonai, “Master”

            C. David clearly sees that God is the source of all _good__. (James 1:17)  Further, it means if we do    not have God Himself, even the best things of life will be valueless to us. (Matt 16:26)  Nothing means  as much to us as _God__ does!

            D.  Based on his commitment to the Lord, David describes his friends.  He _delighted  in godly people. He was repulsed by the _ungodly__.  (vv. 3-4)  Are you like David?

            E.  David describes his present blessings. (vv 5-8)

                        1.  The Lord meets all of his _daily__  __needs__.  “Portion and cup.”

                        2.  The Lord has made him secure with his lot.  This can mean land, and probably refers to his general circumstances of life.

                        3.  The Lord has given David boundary lines that provided him with beautiful land. (v.6)

                              ...David _compared__ God’s blessing to the best inheritance a person could receive.

                              ...This means that the Lord has given David a wonderfully _full_ _life__.  Contentment!!!

                        4.  The Lord provided all this to David through the counsel of His _Word__. (v.7)

                              ...Therefore, David recommits himself to the Lord, who is in front of him and holds him by  the right hand. (v 8)

II.  THE LORD IS DAVID’S DELIVERER IN DEATH. (v. 9-11)

            ...God sets all the boundaries of _death__.

            A. Death posed no threat to David because he enjoyed great blessing and fellowship with the Lord. (v.9)

                  ...God would not allow death and the grave to __interrupt _ that marvelous fellowship!!

            B. David rejoiced because he knew he would not be left in the grave, but would one day rise. (v.10)

                  ...This was Job’s confidence. (Job 19:25-27)

            C.  David then prophesied the resurrection of Jesus. (v. 10b)

                 “Nor will you let your Holy One see decay.”

                        1. Jesus’ body was kept _without__ decay during the three days in the tomb.

                        2. _Peter__, preaching the church’s first sermon tells of this passage (Acts 2:26-31)

                              ... “David was a prophet...seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of Christ.”

                        3.  Paul also used this text preaching the resurrection of the Lord.  (Acts 13:35-37)

            D.  David looks forward to _heaven__. (v.11)

                  ...The path of life leads to joy in the presence of the Lord.

LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:

1. The Lord has set all the boundary lines in your life.

2. Contentment in your life is only found in the Lord.

3. Do you value the Lord as your highest treasure?

4. If you know Christ as Savior, then one day too, you will be resurrected from the grave.

5. To be delivered from death, you must have a Savior.