Our Lord And Savior

           The question which is presented to one is "How do you view our Lord and savior?". The world today , for the most part, views our Lord and Savior as the one who came and died for our sins. As john made that statement so long ago "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."  This is also the perspective that children of God most often see in their relationship with our Lord and Savior. But David saw a different perspective of our Lord and Savior long before Jesus set forth foot upon this earth to do the Father's will. There are 4 things which David lists in Psalm 16 in how he views the Lord and Savior.

            The first thing David lists is " The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot." There are several things which can come unto our thoughts concerning this statement. David received a promise from God the Father that David would have a descendant sitting on the throne. This would certainly be considered by David as part of his inheritance. But I believe that it is much more deeper than this. Our inheritance to be received from the Father is provided through the work of what Jesus has accomplished. Eternal life is what was provided through the work of Jesus being the Christ. Therefore Jesus is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup. Jesus made the statement "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." The Hebrew writer states " Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;".

            The second thing David lists is " Thou wilt shew me the path of life". Jesus is the path that we must follow in order to obtain that eternal life. Jesus has shown us how we are to live and conduct our lives in all holiness and godliness to be pleasing to the Father. The Proverb writer declared " In the way of righteousness is life: and in the pathway thereof there is no death."  Jesus declared about himself " I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Paul stated in his letter to the Romans " There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

            The third thing David lists is " in thy presence is fulness of joy".  Oh the joy that we shall have when we stand in the presence of our beloved God. Jesus told us this simple truth in Matthew " Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." Peter quoted David in Acts 2 " Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance." Paul viewed it in this way to the Corinthians " For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" To think that we can stand in the presence of God without fault because of the blood of Jesus should fill us with such joy as Jude stated " Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever."

            The fourth thing which David lists is " at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." What can we compare the pleasures derived from God to? How can we fathom what the infinite God can do for us. David said in Psalm 36 " How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures."  Moses recognized the value of these pleasures ever before the Lord had accomplished His work in dying upon the cross. "  By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward."

            How do you view your Lord and Savior? Is he the portion of your inheritance and your cup? Are you letting him show you the path of life? Is the fullness of your joy in his presence? Do you esteem the pleasure at his right hand which can be yours forevermore?

 - Larry Bumgardner