Last evening I was reading Psalm 16. It is a Psalm (written by David) that the Apostle Paul refers to during his message in the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13). Paul specifically quotes verse 10: “For You will not abandon me to Sheol; You will not allow Your Faithful One to see decay” (HCSB; Ps 16:10). He uses this verse to support the resurrection of Jesus. Truly, the Holy One of God would not be left in the grave and undergo decay by the Father! He would be (and was) raised from the dead!
Earlier in the Psalm, however, there is a significant claim David makes that stands out as well: nothing good is possible apart from God. He declares, “I said to Yahweh, ‘You are my Lord; I have nothing good besides You'” (Ps 16:2). In the throes of anxiety and anguish, David recognizes that he would have nothing good if it were not for God.
Have you ever paused to consider such an idea? The world, and especially our culture, assumes that if we want good things and a good life, we must work for them. We are the ones in control of our destiny. If we want a good job, we must put in the time, sweat, blood, and tears. If we want a nice house, then we ourselves must invest and save. If we want good, fun toys, like a boat, cabin, vacation home, or anything else, we will work and provide ourselves with them. The underlying thought is that we provide all that is good in our lives.
Although there is some truth to the idea that we need to have a good work ethic, which often results in blessings, we need to keep in mind that the author of all good things is God himself. God is the one who gives us good things. Jesus’ brother, James, even recognized this when he wrote, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow” (James 1:17; NASB). It is God who really gives us a good job. It is God who actually blesses us with our toys to enjoy. Goodness apart from God is impossible.
This concept is incomprehensible by the unbelieving world. It often experiences the goodness of life just like anyone who believes in God. “So, I don’t need God to experience goodness,” is the thought. It believes that goodness is obtainable apart from God. But this is impossible. God is the very source of goodness. He is the very definition of it. The only reason why unbelievers experience goodness in this life is because God is still providing it; he is still present. In theology, we call this “common grace”–God’s good gifts (grace) is common for both the believer and unbeliever in this world. At some point, however, this will not be the case. Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead, and the unbeliever will be cast from the presence of God entirely. No God, no goodness. This is the very definition of hell.
The next time you are tempted to think that the good gifts of this life were your own doing, pause and remember that it is actually God’s work. That big screen TV you enjoy–it was given to you by God. The house you enjoy–God provided that, too. Every good thing is from God. And, yes, you can enjoy every good gift the Lord has given you! Paul told Timothy to “instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy” (1 Tim 6:17). Go ahead and enjoy the good things in this life, but remember: it all comes from God. There is no such thing as goodness apart from him. It is impossible.
Pastor Pete