To Know God

To Know God

Psalm 16:11

“You make known to me the path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

The renown theologian and pastor, J. I. Packer once said, that, “What makes life worthwhile is having a big enough objective, something which catches our imagination and lays hold of our allegiance; and this the Christian has in a way that no other person has, for what higher, more exalted, and more compelling goal can there be than to know God?”

Psalm 16 concludes with one of the most beautiful promises in all of Scripture. David does not simply rejoice because God has blessed him. He didn’t glorify God, or place his hope in God, because (or only because) of what the Lord had given him. His deepest confidence was in God Himself.

The greatest blessing of this life... is not prosperity, health, or wealth and success (those are wonderful blessings, and no doubt gifts of grace that we should be grateful for, and praise God for) - but the greatest blessing is knowing God, Himself. Not knowing about God. But knowing God.

The opening phrase of verse 11, David says, “You make known to me the path of life.”

“You make known...” The Lord makes Himself known, and reveals Himself to us in a host of different ways! Look to creation... the stars, the planets... the mountains, forest, valleys and seas, all reveal their Creator. As do the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, and the numerous animals about us. The created order makes known the majesty and power of God. But it’s not the ultimate way God makes Himself known.

Humans - created in the image of God, themselves... declare the glory of God through our giftings and graces, our talents and abilities, used in harmony with God’s greater purposes. We make known the creative power of God. But we’re not the ultimate way God makes Himself known.

God’s written word. “A lamp unto [our] feet, and a light unto [our] path” (Psalm 119:105). The Bible, reveals God’s character, and allows us to engage with His covenant promises and His Truth, which certainly “makes Him known to us,” in so much as our humble, and minuscule brains can hope to comprehend...

Of course, Jesus being the ultimate Word (as John 1 reminds us)... the Word made flesh, who made his dwelling among us, revealing God’s will and ways through his life, His actions, His death and Resurrection... and through Whom we receive grace upon grace already given. The Word (Jesus) certainly makes God known.

The promise here, is that God never leaves His children wandering aimlessly. He graciously reveals the Way... the way we should walk, the way we should live. And in Jesus, this promise is fulfilled, as He declares, “I am the way and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The path to knowing God is not simply a set of laws, or a collection of moral precepts; it’s a relationship with our Lord and Savior.

David then says, “in your presence there is fullness of joy.” It’s undeniable that the world constantly tempts us to seek joy, happiness, fulfillment... in possessions, accomplishments, entertainment, or relationships. Of course, we known from experience, that (with as good and satisfying as such things can be), they’re just temporary. And fleeting.

Abundant life, complete joy, and eternal satisfaction are found in Christ alone... through fellowship and communion with God Himself. We were created, and the breath of life was instilled with us, that we would “glorify God and enjoy Him forever!” Our hearts, our affections, were created for God. “The highest happiness of man is to be united to God... as there’s “no other source of perfect happiness than in the favor of God” (Calvin). It’s why nothing satisfies our souls, and quiets our anxious hearts, until we surrender to God’s perfect will in Christ, and discover unspeakable joy!

It’s a joy that’s not dependent on changing circumstances; or the fickleness of this life. David wrote these words while experiencing a life of uncertainty, and danger, and turmoil... yet his confidence remained steadfast because God’s presence was his greatest treasure.

Finally, David declares, “at [God’s] right hand are pleasures forevermore.” David was testifying to a hope that extends beyond this present life. Peter, preaching on the Day of Pentecost, identified Psalm 16 as pointing ultimately to Christ’s resurrection (Acts 2:25–32). Because Jesus conquered death, those united to Him by faith will also enter into everlasting joy. Heaven is gloriously joyful, not merely because suffering ends and there’s no more tears or grief. But because God Himself is there. The greatest delight of eternity is seeing Christ face to face.

We glorify God because He alone is worthy, and in doing so we discover that our highest joy is found in Him.

The fact is, Church... maybe we’d all do well (as an ack of faithful obedience unto the Lord) to examine ourselves... to honestly observe where we may be seeking lasting joy apart from God himself? Are we more interested in God’s blessings & benefits than in God Himself? And how could we all, as God’s people, intentionally cultivate communion with Christ today through His Word, prayer, and worship? All to the Glory of God, alone.

“You make known to me the path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Amen.