Face to Face - April 2011

“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).

The next time you find yourself praying in desperation, remember Psalm 16.  Keep it in the back of your mind.  It is a portion of Scripture to cling to when life leaves you dangling and hanging by a thread.  Read it often when you feel anxious, worried, or forsaken.

David’s future looked so promising.  Years earlier, the prophet Samuel poured oil on his head and anointed him as the future king.  The prophet proclaimed that David would rise to leadership and power.  Years later, confused and feeling defeated, David was living life on the run far from his dream of prominence.

Maybe you have had a broken dream or two.  Maybe your hope has faded like the evening sun.  That’s what happened to David.  But he found hope and optimism.  He knew his tomorrow would be better than today.  He learned that his future was as bright as the promises of God.

“The word presence has special meaning in verse 11.  In the original language, presence means “face.” In other words, there is abundance of joy for those who come face-to-face with God.  This is the face of a smiling God.  This is the face of the Dream Maker.  It is the face of the One who knows our future and is eager to reveal His marvelous plans for our life.

Our hope and God’s plans are held in His right hand.  There are eternal pleasures with your name on them in His hand.  This is the same powerful hand that made the heavens and earth (Jeremiah 32:17).  This is the same hand that was stretched out on a cross and had a spike driven through it.  It is the same hand Jesus told Thomas to place his finger in after the Resurrection (John 20:27).

God has much to offer you.  He will never abandon you.  He will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).  Count on Him when you pray and come into His presence, face-to-face.