Total Commitment to God (Psalm 16:1-2) by Gideon Macgovern Mpeni - a podcast by gideon macgovern

The heading of this Psalm, and of Psalms 56:1-13; Psalms 57:1-11; Psalms 58:1-11; Psalms 59:1-17; Psalms 60:1-12, Michtam, may mean “Golden Psalm,” or “Sculpture Psalm,” this latter term indicating a Psalm of strong incisive thought. The Psalm seems, “by its tone of fresh, joyous confidence, to belong to the early part of David’s career.” It may have been written when David was in the wilderness of Ziph (1 Samuel 26:19).

In this Psalm David demonstrates his unwavering delight in God. And in this Sermon we look at the three character traits of a life that is totally Committed to God. 

1. He Delights in God’s Refuge (v.1)

2. He Delights In God’s Lordship (v.2a)

3. He delights In God’s Good (v.2b)

A. HE DELIGHTS IN GOD'S REFUGE

We don’t know whether David wrote this at a time when his life was in imminent danger or if he was reflecting on the general course of his life.

From his life we see a man who was resolved to be an example of godliness to his people (Psalm101) there was clearly a lack of it in the nation he governed.

There is evidence of strife, immorality and even idol worship. Corruption in his family.

· The Rape of Tamar his daughter by one of David’s Sons Amnon (2 Sam. 13)

· The Rebellion of Absalom his own son.

All these were rightful, deserving ramifications and consequences and partly judgements on David himself – He was warned by God after his sin (2Sam.12:10-12).

· He is looking back in His life and see the way that Goliath was laid down!

· Then in the ranks of Saul as he tried to kill him!

But the fact is, we all need a place of refuge and protection, both in time and for eternity.

Temporally, we instinctively try to protect ourselves from harm and danger.

· We avoid risks that could kill us.

· We wear seat belts when we drive.

· We avoid smoking and junk foods that can cause disease.

While these are prudent measures, the bottom line is that the eternal God, who spoke the universe into existence by His power, must be our protector.

Colossians 1:17 states that in Christ, “all things hold together.”

If He were to let go, we would literally disintegrate!

The Psalmist will be “preserved”; he will not only be created.

There is a cold deism which says, “Having been created, that is enough; the rest belongs to myself; I must attend to the details of life; creation may have been a Divine act, but all education, culture, “progress, preservation must fall under my own personal care.”

The Psalmist begins in another tone.

He opens his Psalm with the great word “preserve”--equal to,

- Attend to all my cares and wants; pity my feebleness; take hold of my right hand, and of my left hand, and be round about me, and never leave me for one moment to myself. That is true worship.

So it is right to pray for safety for our loved ones and for ourselves. We need the Lord’s protection constantly.

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