March 8

Sealed Forever with Failsafe Security

 
  On several occasions in the Psalms, a writing of David is titled a 'mikhtam'. It is an ancient Hebrew word that is best translated as "an inscription with an indelible preservation". It is a perfect portrayal of what follows in Psalm 16, the first mikhtam of David in scripture which reads, "I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely. For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay." (Psalm 16:8-10)

The unmistakable idea presented in this psalm, recorded by David but written by the Holy Spirit Who lived inside of him, is one of "an inscription with an indelible preservation" etched deeply and unmistakably across David's heart. He speaks of the continual Presence of God and that, because of that Presence, he cannot be shaken now or anytime between today and eternity! It is not even possible, for to shake David's faith in his security in his Lord Master would require that God be shaken first. The perfect context of the verse is that David has determined that because of this, he will not permit doubting His Father's resolve to keep him securely to even enter his life! The Holy Spirit taught David through this precious mikhtam that we simply must rejoice in the security of the eternal dwelling place that God has assured by His Presence cannot ever be moved, shaken, or go away! It is such a remarkable treasure that Martin Luther described Psalm 16 as a "golden jewel" among the other jewels of the Psalms.

Our eternal destiny is forever and permanently sealed by the Father through His gift of the Holy Spirit which He has promised directly that He would never take back under any circumstances, ever! (Ephesians 1:13, Romans 11:29, John 18:9) Notice that David follows this promise all the way to eternity itself when he says of God's perfect faithfulness, "For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay." Is David talking about himself here? No! He is pointing out that in order for his soul to spend eternity in hell, God's Holy Spirit would likewise have to be condemned, because the Holy Spirit is fixed and sealed within David's soul forever. For the place of David's eternal destiny is secured by God's promises to also be the eternal destination of God's Spirit! David says flatly that an eternity with his Lord Master in Zion is the only available option, for "You (will not) allow Your Holy One to undergo decay."

Beloved, on this eventide, we must rejoice in our salvation. But we must also, with equal fervency, rejoice in God's perfect promise of faithfulness, even when we are not, for He cannot deny Himself! (2 Timothy 2:13) Therefore, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4)