NearnessNäide

Have you seen those videos of kids who are given a marshmallow and told not to eat it? The premise is that children are given a marshmallow and told not to eat it. If they don’t eat it, they will get a second marshmallow, and they can eat both. The adult conducting the experiment then leaves the room to test the children’s self-control.

This study became a phenomenon because the children who waited for the second marshmallow went on to become successful in adulthood. The principle of “pain now, pleasure later” is true in developmental psychology, but it's also true in the Bible.

Truthfully, it comes down to trust. If I don’t eat the marshmallow, will I actually get two? Do I trust this adult to keep their word?

Much like little kids, God has told us: trust me, and I will be enough for you, follow me and I will give you eternal life, walk with me and I will fill you with joy in my presence. And the psalmist, David, gets this. He writes of the good in his life, but even more of the good to come in Psalm 16:5-11(NIV):

“You make my lot secure.”

“Surely I have a delightful inheritance.”

“With [the Lord] at my right hand, I will not be shaken”

“You will not abandon me.”

“You will fill me with joy in your presence, eternal pleasures”

David knows that the Lord will care for him. In 1 Samuel 30:1-6, David’s family is killed, and his people are talking about stoning him. But even there, it says that David found strength in the Lord his God.

David is not talking about rejoicing in the things God has given him. He is talking about rejoicing in God. He’s not looking around him for pleasure, but for eternity.

And in this trust, in this vision of God beside him, David has three key responses:

1. “I keep my eyes always on the Lord”

2. “My tongue rejoices”

3. “My body will rest secure”

Today, ponder this: How can I fix my eyes on God, resting and rejoicing in Him? In what ways do I need to look forward and trust His promises so that I can rest in His joy and security?