A Clear Direction

A Clear Direction

I have set the LORD always before me.

Psalm 16:8

IN WORD David pursued a lot of interests: his sheep, victory over the Philistines, the kingdom of Israel, Bathsheba, Absalom, and more. Most of his intentions were good; some were not. Regardless, he was governed by one overriding interest, one passion that superseded all others: He wanted to know the heart of God.

David set the Lord continually before him. Or, to say it another way, David continually set himself in the direction of God. Regardless of the intermediate pursuit—whether it was a kingdom, a military victory, a temple, or whatever—the intermediate was only a means to a higher purpose. David was consumed with knowing God. No, he didn’t follow his passions perfectly, and sometimes they were misdirected. But they were always brought back to this one. God’s ways, His character, and His will were paramount. The heart of any worshiper knows this.

According to Psalm 16, this one overriding passion was relevant to David’s security, his inheritance, his wisdom, and more. It affected everything. But all of these benefits were only side effects; they were not the main attraction. God was the main attraction, and in a worshiper’s heart, He always will be. A greater Example, foreshadowed in this psalm, reinforces the message with even more purity and single-mindedness. Jesus more completely and passionately set the Lord before Him. If David is a worshiper’s great example, Jesus is the great fulfillment of our desire. His Spirit in us worships God as He worshiped God on earth. David tried to make everything in his life point to God. Jesus not only tried, He succeeded.

IN DEED Our lives often seem like a conglomeration of multiple goals and pursuits. Positions, possessions, places, people, and plans—all will occupy our thoughts from time to time. Our priority, according to Scripture, must be God Himself. Not the things God gives us, but God. Not the ways God leads us, but God. Not even the worship of God, but God. It’s so easy to understand, so hard to grasp. Be relentless about it. Set the Lord always before you.

Worship is not a part of the Christian life; it is the Christian life.

—GERALD VANN