“Here joy enters into us, there we enter into joy.” –Thomas Watson
We know David as a king, but the apostle Peter recognized his God-given ability to prophesy. And Psalm 16 is our key text. Psalm 16 has been called a golden psalm. If Psalm 16 were a piece of jewelry it would be a golden chain with an inscribed locket hanging from one of its links. David has fashioned this glorious chain for us: petitioning the Lord, delighting in the saints, acknowledging God who holds his lot, choosing the Lord instead of false idols, and celebrating the stability that comes to those make the Lord their portion. And what was the result? A gladness and joy that pervaded his whole being and a confidence that extended beyond the grave. David writes:
8 I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.
10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption.
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. (Psalm 16)
These verses are so significant that Peter refers to them on the day of Pentecost. He declares that David who did see corruption was actually prophesying about Jesus Christ:
29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ…” (Acts 2)
The early church recognized that the kingship of Jesus and the fulfillment of the covenant to David (see 2 Samuel 7) extended beyond just the nation of Israel and would include the Gentiles as well. (see Acts 15:14-19). This is part of the joyful announcement of the angel Gabriel to Mary. We will close with these often-read Christmas verses. Note well the emphasized text:
30 “And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David…” (Luke 1)
Praise the Lord that King Jesus sits on David’s throne and that his kingdom includes even 21st century Gentiles! Have a blessed week and we will see most of you on Sunday.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Dale
