Psalm 16: 8-11

I have set the Lord continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices;My flesh also will dwell securely.
For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol;
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.
You will make known to me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.    Psalm 16: 8-11


I have set the LORD continually before me. Isaiah 46 says that ‘I will make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ There is such a comfort in knowing that God has gone before you and has accounted for everything that is to come. He is outside of time and time is in His hands. So, in the knowledge that God is WITH you today and KNOWS about tomorrow, we remain hopeful.

Furthermore, His purpose will stand. All of His ways are good, His plans for us are beyond anything we can imagine and all of his paths lead to LIFE. And so standing firm in the knowledge that his purposes will be fulfilled is a glorious victory against hopelessness or despair. With this truth in our hearts we are comforted.

God knows, and is at our right hand. This closeness with God means that we can draw from His strength – He becomes our foundation and anchor, and we remain unshaken.

Because of this wonderful revelation, we can be ultimately positive! Our hearts are glad as we know that the ultimate conclusion is so good. For the joy set before us we can endure all things– and be joyful TODAY! We will not be abandoned to death or decay, but will walk the path of life. We can look forward to good things. Importantly, having faith that good things WILL happen prevents frustration, meaning that joy is not reserved for the future. When we are in His presence, we have fullness of joy – because this is where he reveals the feelings of his heart and his amazing purposes. Here we remember that we have been set apart for good things, and we rejoice.

Isaiah 58 – Raise your voice and ride in triumph.

Shout it aloud, do not hold back. 
   Raise your voice like a trumpet

...loose the chains of injustice 
   and untie the cords of the yoke, 
set the oppressed free 
   and break every yoke...

...Then your light will break forth like the dawn, 
   and your healing will quickly appear; 
then your righteousness will go before you, 
   and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard... 

...Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; 
   you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I...

You will find your joy in the LORD, 
   and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land 
   and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.