When God is all you’ve got, you’ve got it all!

David’s confession that apart from God he had no good thing was not the admission of a desperate person in dire need pathetically clinging to his God. No, this was a bold and delightful a recognition that in his utter dependence on the Lord, he had, as the Apostle Peter recognized a thousand or so years later, “everything that pertains to life and godliness.” Just what did “everything” mean in David’s mind? The rest of Psalm 16 describes it for us:

Blessing (“LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup.” v. 5)

Favor (“surely I have a delightful inheritance.” v. 6)

Wisdom (“the LORD, who counsels me; at night my heart instructs me.” v. 7)

Security (“because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” v. 8)

Emotional well being (“therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices.” v. 9)

Invincibility (“because you will not abandon me to the grave.” v. 10)

Satisfaction (“you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” v. 11)

If you are in a place that provides all that—God’s blessing, divine favor, spiritual wisdom, personal security, emotional health, supernatural intervention, and soul-soothing satisfaction, what more could you possibly ask for? Anything else you have in life—material abundance, physical health, relational well-being, even fame and fortune—is just icing on the cake.

If you focus on all the things you don’t have in this world, you will live a discontented life. Of course, that is not to say asking God for the things you need, even the things you desire is not appropriate.  It is—that is, if you ask in accordance to his will. But if you find yourself wrestling with chronic discontent, covetousness and lust for temporary stuff, try focusing instead on all the blessings of just belonging to your Heavenly Father.

I am quite certain that if you will do that, you will come to the place where you realize that when God is all you’ve got, you’ve got it all!

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“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” (John Piper)

Making Life Work: Gratitude is the path for reorienting your discontent to a deeply satisfying life in God.  And best of all, thanksgiving is something anyone can do. So here is the challenge. For the next seven days, morning, noon and night, practice thanksgiving therapy by noticing all the things you have—even the little things—and then praying gratefully. A thankful heart will change your life—and it will reorient it toward the glory of God.