7/12

Psalms 16:10

10For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.


David declared that his heart was glad and his whole being could rejoice and even rest securely because he knew God would not abandon his soul to the grave. The hope of heaven was just being revealed to God's people. David may have been uncertain as to what would happen to him if he died. Since he was often in battle, that was a very real concern. Once he realized God would not abandon him after death, he could sleep soundly at night.

The end of our verse speaks of the "holy one." Was David referring to himself or to the promised descendant who would reign forever, the Messiah (Mark 1:24)? Though the word for "holy one" in this verse can mean saint (Psalm 89:19), the apostles of the New Testament saw this as referring to Jesus. After all, David died and his body decayed, but Jesus rose from the dead without His body seeing corruption (Acts 13:35).

The fact that Jesus was raised does tell us He can raise our bodies as well. Our spirit goes to be with the LORD when our body dies, but the day will come when the resurrected Jesus will raise our bodies as well (1 Thessalonians 4:16). That should inspire in us the same gladness of heart, and our whole being to rejoice, and our body to rest securely. Our worst fear, death, has been conquered by Jesus. Sleep in peace. Walk through each day with joy.

Consider: The lack of fear that the believer possesses has been a great witness to the world that is so fearful of death.