Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalms 16:11 KJV
The use of 'path' in today's extract shows that we all are on a journey. No matter what your view of this present life is, you realise that every day you are given adds to your age, experience and view of life. We all have different experiences, but it is clear that we all have the same end: eternal life. Now, if I know that this present life is not the end of it all, should I not be careful then how I prepare for that eternal reality? How do I ensure that my present course will take me to the place that God intends for me?
There are paths, and there is the path of life. It tells me that many options will present itself as I journey towards my eternal reality, but I must be careful about where and how I journey. There are paths, but there is only one true path. Have I found and am I following the essence and source of true life? Of course, you cannot find the path of life outside of the One called the Way, the Truth and the Life. If you are not following Him, how would you end up where He is and where He has promised you He is preparing for you?
After the path of life in today's extract is a full colon; which means that the words which follow are explanation of the path of life. Two expressions in the words that follow bear emphasis: in thy presence and at thy right hand. Those words show that the path of life runs through these paths also. You can't walk on God's path and be far away from His presence. You cannot claim you are following God and you are not aware and conscious of His presence, his warnings and his counsel. How do I claim to follow a God whose basic minimum requirements I do not know?
So the check and audit are personal: I need to check my present walk with and work for God. The benefits of his right hand and presence can only be explained by people who have or are enjoying them. You can read about these in the Bible, and see men and women whose lives were turned around by their personal encounter of God. I can pick lessons from their experiences, but I have to find God for myself also. I can't keep looking up to other people's stories; it is time I make my own. That is why the Psalmist here could personalise this message: thou wilt show ME the path of life. It has nothing to do with the crowd or with everyone; it's just first and foremost me. When my life has been impacted, then it can in turn impact the world I have been placed in. You can't shortchange the process. His time of favour is here.
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