June 20, 2019 
The word Sabbath means to cease.  So as Dr. Brooks is away on sabbatical, we will be using his original devotionals from 2009 on the book of Psalms.  He will resume The Bible Project devotionals upon his return.  Thank you for reading with us and praying for him as he replenishes his soul for the next seven years of ministry.
Psalm 16
Keep me safe, my God,
    for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
    apart from you I have no good thing.”
I say of the holy people who are in the land,
    “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”
Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.
    I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
    or take up their names on my lips.
Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;
    you make my lot secure.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    surely I have a delightful inheritance.
I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
    even at night my heart instructs me.
I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
    With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
    my body also will rest secure,
because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
    nor will you let your faithful one see decay.
You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

New International Version (NIV)
          God is faithful!  This is one of my favorite Psalms on what promises to be an important day in our lives.  Think of your favorite things in the world.  Now imagine them apart from God’s presence.  “Apart from you I have no good thing.”  God is the author of every good and perfect gift.  He lavishes love on our lives.  Even the good gifts, especially the good gifts are better in relationship with him.  Apart from him we have no good thing; with him we have all things richly to enjoy.

          I remember on June 15, 1998 reading this Psalm about a month after we arrived at Tallowood.  Moving to a new place, even when God calls you, can be an unsettling experience.  But reading these words, my heart was full.  God assigns our portion and our cup; he determines the boundary lines for our lives, and they fall in pleasant places.  So often in my life, I would have settled for less than God had for me.  Imagine our joy in discovering, again, that God’s plan was better than our own, better than we could have imagined. 

          We praise God not only for his provision but also for his providence.  He counsels us.  When we set him always before us, we are not shaken.  In fact his provision does not end in this life.  David looks toward the promise of life.  He believes God will let him live.  His words portend God’s resurrection of the Holy One Jesus Christ.  God’s promise of life begins here and extends into eternity. 

          How has God placed boundary lines in pleasant places for you?  Give him praise.  Celebrate his great provision.  Set him before you today and every day.  You are safe in him!  Give thanks. 

This year our Every Day with Jesus readings will follow The Bible Project Read Scripture Plan.  Copies of this reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download 
the app at readscripture.org.  Read through the Bible with us in 2019!
Joyfully, 
Duane 

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