There is something that feels dishonest about preaching a passage about how everything is going right in life, like Psalm 16. Many people have experiences that give them good reasons not to feel so positive. So, what do we do with passages like Psalm 16 when things are not okay? Perhaps this passage can serve as a reminder of God's character. God is not abusive. God means us no harm. We ought to look for God in the places where we find refuge from the harm and abuse that is often dealt to us. Listen to Seth Jones talk about God never leaving you.

Reading from the Scriptures

Psalm 16

¹ Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
² I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
    I have no good apart from you.”

³ As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble ones
    in whom is all my delight.

⁴ Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;
    their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
    or take their names upon my lips.

⁵ The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
    you hold my lot.
⁶ The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    I have a goodly heritage.

⁷ I bless the Lord, who gives me counsel;
    in the night also my heart instructs me.
⁸ I keep the Lord always before me;
    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

⁹ Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
    my body also rests secure.
¹⁰ For you do not give me up to Sheol
    or let your faithful one see the Pit.

¹¹ You show me the path of life.
    In your presence there is fullness of joy;
    in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.