en yan hua fang

“My Good Is Not Apart From You” ~ ✨

Psalm 16 is a Mikhtam (a golden psalm) of David the psalmist, expressing his trust in the LORD God. Despite being in days of distress, he fully believed in relying on God’s shelter. It is a psalm centered on unwavering trust in God.

Verses 1-4 of this psalm express David’s faithfulness to God, while verses 5-11 praise God’s blessing and reward for the faith of His godly ones/saints. David laid bare his heart before God, saying: “Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”

Those in the world with wealth and knowledge often say, “If a problem can be solved with money, then it’s not a problem.” Therefore, most people pursue money, and some even stray from the right path, becoming corrupt together (Psalm 14:3). David was a king with vast wealth. Yet he did not rely on money to solve problems; he relied on God’s help. For example, before every military campaign, David would inquire of God whether he should go or not, and each time he overcame the enemy with God’s help. Therefore, when David said his good was not apart from God, he meant it sincerely.

Besides seeking wealth, people of the world seek earthly possessions; this seems to be an unchanging law of the world. As early as the Old Testament times, the nation of Israel sought earthly possessions, sought to establish a kingdom, sought to restore their nation on earth, but did not seek God. The LORD God said to Aaron, the first high priest: “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any share among them; I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelites” (Numbers 18:20). David, king of Israel, did not regard his palace, wealth, or treasures as his inheritance. Though not from the tribe of Levi, he regarded the LORD God as his inheritance, his portion and cup (Psalm 16:5).

Whenever I meditate on this psalm, joy always fills my heart. David’s good was not apart from the Lord; my good is also not apart from the Lord. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you (Psalm 73:25)! David regarded the LORD God as his inheritance, his portion and cup; I also regard the Lord Christ Jesus as my inheritance, my portion and cup.

The apostle Paul once said: “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:7-8). It seems then that Christ Jesus was Paul’s inheritance, Paul’s portion and cup; what he gained, the Lord kept for him. Although, when writing Philippians, he had not yet obtained all this or been made perfect, he still pressed on. I believe that at the moment of his departure, he had gained the prize for which Christ Jesus took hold of him (Philippians 3:12).

Therefore, I hold this same attitude; and my heart is glad, my spirit rejoices, my body also will rest secure. The Lord has made known to me the path of life; in His presence is fullness of joy. May I also be like those good witnesses, with eternal pleasures at God’s right hand (Psalm 16:5, 9, 11).

I cite the centurion’s “faith” (Luke 7:1-10); the poor widow’s “hope” (Luke 21:1-4); and Mary’s “love” (Mark 14:3-9) to illustrate the practice of faith, hope, and love. David’s life testified to the faith, hope, and love he held towards God. Then, how should the life of those who are God’s children in Christ be?

I share this poem for mutual encouragement 👇🏻

Life · Fate or Redemption? ✨

Israel or nations abroad,

Black or white, blue or yellow hue,

World’s banners by desires are wrought,

Christ gave His life, born out of love true.

God’s redemption rests on grace,

By faith from lust, from sin to righteous state,

Clothed anew to walk the wilderness race,

Undaunted though the path be treacherous, late.

Pillar of cloud and fire guards the way,

Manna and living water for me prepared,

Striding forward mile after mile each day,

Swift years passing by, none are spared.

Catching sight of homeland, this hope I hold,

Redeemed and homeward bound to eternity’s fold.

✨✨💖 ~