The Jesus Bible Reading Plan / TODAY'S LIFE AND THE AFTERLIFE

The Jesus Bible Reading Plan

Day 97 of 365 TODAY'S LIFE AND THE AFTERLIFE Although the concept of an afterlife was largely undeveloped in ancient Israel, the idea of Sheol was loosely equated with death (49:15; Job 11:8; Pr 15:24), from which the righteous could be delivered. David thus expressed his trust in God to protect him from this place of death as he celebrated the joy of finding lasting pleasures in God's presence. This initial aspect of David's view offers a practical counter to today's propensity to think too much about the promise of heaven and not enough about the reality of God's transformative presence. Thus David's psalm, in part, encourages God's people to become well acquainted with the goodness of God now, not later! It was not until Peter's speech at Pentecost, in Acts 2, that people were encouraged to see the wider application of this psalm - the hope of the resurrection. While on the surface of things it seems as though David primarily pointed out the immediate benefits of knowing God, Peter explained that David also envisaged the coming Messiah. After quoting Psalm 16:8 - 11 in Acts 2:25 - 28, Peter declared, "Seeing what was to come, [David] spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life" (Ac 2:31 - 32). This psalm celebrates the life-changing nature of God's current presence as well as the future hope of eternal life because of the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus, as I look forward to eternity with you, help me to remember that my eternity with you includes today. Amen. Psalms 16:9-11 NASB 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely. 10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. 11 You will make known to me the path of life; Acts 2:31-32 NASB 31 he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that H e was neither abandoned to H ades, nor did His flesh suffer decay . 32 This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses.