April 5, 2021 -- Psalm 16:11 -- Boasting in our Spouse
/You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are eternal pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11 English Standard Version
Many Christians wonder about this relationship should I pursue it or not? Or taking that job—seeking a sign from God, like Gideon placed a fleece, because the job will require compromises to my precious faith.. What stands out for me in this verse is the confidence of the psalmist that God our Father will make known the path of life—the way of faithful obedience through Christ.
The Puritan John Flavel (1627 - 1691) has written extensively on our mystical union with Jesus Christ. One paragraph I recently read is quite helpful in knowing the path of life:
Examine your relations to Christ. Are you his spouse?
Have you forsaken all for him? Are you ready to take
your lot with him, as it falls in prosperity or adversity?
Are you loyal to Christ? Do you yield obedience to
him as your Head and Husband? Are you his spiritual
seed, his children by regeneration? Are you born of the
Spirit? Do you resemble Christ in holiness? Do you find
a reverential fear of Christ carrying you to obey him in
all things? Are you led by the Spirit of Christ? To
conclude, Have you the spirit of adoption, enabling
you to cry, Abba, Father?
Flavel, Works, I:482
What a clear picture. As one who is a member of Jesus’ Church and therefore one of the people of whom it is said, we are the Bride of Christ, we ask this question—what I am about to do will it bring honour to Christ my Husband, or will I bring disrepute and shame to our relationship? And to that end, Christ has given us His Holy Spirit so that we will know the path of life and be strengthened to walk with the resurrection righteousness given at Easter. Read the Bible. It is our marriage manual. Pray. The Spirit Who lives in us brings our prayers, imperfect as they are, to our Husband-King Jesus.
Such a journey on the path of life is one full of joy. In times of strength or sorrow, in persecution or adulation, riches or poverty because we are espoused (married to Christ) and He is the Spouse in Whom is all our boasting. We declare to all we meet—have you met my Spouse? No one is greater than Him Is!
LORD of angel hosts You have fulfilled Your great promise. You have shaken the heavens and the earth and the Desire of all Nations, Jesus our King, has come. You, Father of Wonders, have filled Your people with greater glory—greater than silver, far more than the riches of gold—for by Your Spirit You have placed the peace of Christ in the hearts of Your people—so that we are the new temple! Blessed are You Triune God! Hallelujah! Amen.
The prayer is based on Haggai 2:5-9
https://youtu.be/EE8N-BK7ojk
