Apart from You I Have No Good Thing

September 8

David was a man after God’s own heart. He was abundantly blessed of God. He had been a shepherd. As a boy, it had been his lot to tend his father’s sheep while his older brothers had the more prestigious responsibility of defending the nation against its Philistine enemies.

God brought him from the sheep fold into the presence of King Saul at a time when the nation was desperate for a hero. David became that hero. When he slew Goliath, his name became renowned. When Saul discovered that David also had musical ability, his service was employed to soothe the king’s troubled spirit.

David was presented with a princess, Michal, as the first of his many wives. When Saul turned against him and oppressed him, David was shielded from harm by the favor of God and assured by the Holy One of Israel that he would one day be king. His riches increased as did his military exploits.

But, with all the blessings and all the successes that were his, David counted them as nothing compared to what he had with God. In Psalm 16:2 he said, “You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing.” David, a man who abounded in wealth, power and fame realized that the Lord is greater than every good thing a man may ever have.