1. The document analyzes Psalm 16 and discusses how to develop a sense of nearness to God. It outlines five key points: recognize dependence on God, declare allegiance to God alone, express thankfulness to God, develop awareness of God through study, reflection and prayer, and enjoy the confidence that comes from God. 2. The analysis explains that feeling close to God requires acknowledging His greatness and our need for Him, giving Him undivided loyalty in all areas of life, and being grateful for His blessings. 3. Developing awareness involves listening to God's counsel, keeping Him near, and finding guidance through Scripture. Having this relationship with God allows one to find joy in this life and confidence even

1. Psalm -16
Devotion
Dr. Pothana

2. Nearness to God
Psalm 16

3. 1 Keep me safe, my God,
for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing.”
3 I say of the holy people who are in the land,
“They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”
4 Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.
I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
or take up their names on my lips.
5 LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup;
you make my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.
7 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I keep my eyes always on the LORD.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
nor will you let your faithful[b] one see decay.
11 You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

4. 1. Recognize
our
dependence
upon God.
(16:1-2)
A. “You are my Lord.”
 David recognizes that he belongs to
God.
B. David wanted God to protect and
sustain him.
C. We cannot feel close to God until
we acknowledge His greatness and
recognize our need for Him. Self-
sufficiency pushes God away.
1 Keep me safe, my God,
for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing.”

5. 2. Declare our
Allegiance to
God. (16:3-4)
A. Verses 3-4 have a clear meaning –
Be committed to God only!
B. We cannot be close to God until
we give Him our undivided loyalty.
C. We must show our complete
allegiance to God in every aspect
of life – words, actions,
companions, thoughts, dress, etc.
3 I say of the holy people who are in the land,
“They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”
4 Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.
I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
or take up their names on my lips.

6. 3. Express our
Thankfulness
to God (16:5-6)
A. To feel close to God, we must
recognize and be grateful for
what God has done for us.
 Psalm 73:26
B. David recognized God as the
source of all blessings. It is no
different today.
 If we truly believe that God is our
inheritance, then we will be willing
to do His will (Psalm 119:5)
5 LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup;
you make my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in
pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.

7. 4. Develop an
Awareness of
God (16:7-8)
A. “In this beautiful description of spiritual intimacy, we see
God guiding David’s life and David listening to God’s
counsel and seeking to keep God near him. The same
closeness can be ours if we develop our awareness.”
B. To develop an awareness of God, we must be willing to
listen. Proverbs 8:32-36
C. Developing an awareness of God is developed through…
 Study
 Reflection
 Prayer
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in
pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.
7 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.

8. 1. Recognize our
dependence
upon God. (16:1-
2)
2. Declare our
Allegiance to
God. (16:3-4)
3. Express our
Thankfulness to
God (16:5-6)
4. Develop an
Awareness of
God (16:7-8)
5. Enjoy the
Confidence of
God (16:9-11)
A. “. 9Therefore my heart is glad, and my
whole being rejoices; my flesh also
dwells secure. 10For you will not
abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your
holy one see corruption. 11You make
known to me the path of life; in your
presence there is fullness of joy; at your
right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
B. “Therefore…”
 Because David depended upon God, had
committed himself to God, was thankful
for the blessings from God and knew
that God was near, David could have joy
and hope in this life.
C. David’s confidence was not only in
this life, but he had confidence that
God would still be near even in death.
 Psalm 139:7-8

9. 1. Recognize our dependence upon God.
2. Declare our Allegiance to God.
3. Express our Thankfulness to God.
4. Develop an Awareness of God.
5. Enjoy the Confidence of God.
Developing a Nearness to God