Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life: in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures for ever more. There can be no doubt that in their primary application these words bear reference to the Lord Jesus; for of Him only could it be said, "Thou wilt not suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption." But while we thus believe that the Psalmist is writing chiefly about Jesus, we at the same time feel that, He being the Head of the body, the Church, these verses may for the most part be applied to all those who are made living members of His body by the mighty operation of the Lord the Spirit. The text speaks of a "fulness of joy," and tells us where it is to be had. Jesus always intended His people to be happy. One of His sweetest discourses closes with the words, "these things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you and your joy might be full." But the believer has to confess, notwithstanding all the blessed promises of God's Word, that his joy is not full. He has real joy, spiritual joy, springing from the consciousness of the love of God; and this joy is a great help to him. But he wants more. Now, amongst the things which interrupt the fulness of our joy on earth is — I. THE WEAKNESS OF OUR FAITH. There are very few, even of the most advanced Christians, who do not mourn over weakness of faith. Abraham himself failed once and again. We walk by sight overmuch, or at least desire to. II. THE SLOWNESS OF HIS GROWTH IN GRACE. He longs to love God with all his heart and soul and strength; to be holy even as Christ is holy, perfect even as his Father in heaven is perfect. But when he sits down to examine himself, and weighs his thoughts, his words, his deeds, in the scales of the sanctuary, he finds so much of worldly conformity, so much cleaving to the earth, so little rising in thought and spirit to heaven, that he rises from the examination with a drooping spirit and an aching heart. III. THE POWER AND ASCENDENCY OF BESETTING SIN. Whether it be pride, or covetousness, or envy, ill-temper or uncharitableness, whatever it be, we have all of us some sin which has a greater power over us than others. It may be we fondly deemed we had wholly subdued it. But in a little while some trifling temptation is laid in our way; it looks enticing, fascinating, profitable; away go all our good resolutions, and we are betrayed into the commission of that very sin against which we had prayed so earnestly, and whose power we thought we had broken. IV. SEASONS OF SPIRITUAL DESERTION. He has been walking for some time in the light of God's countenance, rejoicing ever to look up and see a Father's smiling face. But things are sadly altered now. Prayer goes up, but the answer comes not. Difficulties encompass him on every side; his enemies are many and mighty, yea, they come in like a flood; he cries aloud, but his Father makes as though He heard not; distress, tribulation, anguish come upon him. Again he well-nigh sinks in despair. V. CARE CONCERNING PROVISION FOR THE FUTURE. You, my poorer brethren, will understand what we mean. Most, if not all of you, have to earn your bread by the sweat of your brow. We meet you looking careworn, anxious, depressed; joy has departed from you, and trial wears you down. Very many, we fear most of you, increase these cares and troubles by carrying them yourself instead of casting them on Jesus; and you lose much of the joy that religion affords, because you refuse to see a Father's hand in all that befalls you. But to you, who are the Lord's own dear people, we say, yet a little while and these cares shall be over. VI. THE LOSS OF THE NEAR AND THE DEAR. But look on to blessed reunion in Christ. (Henry J. Berguer.) Parallel Verses KJV: Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. |
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