We Now Know
I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. 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. Psalm 16:8-11
When we reflect on the past, we often find ourselves saying, “If I only knew then, what I know now.” This simple phrase captures the reality that, as we grow and gain experience, we begin to see life more clearly and make wiser decisions. The same is true in our spiritual journey. As we experience God’s grace, our faith deepens, and our hope expands.
When David wrote the words of Psalm 16, he was expressing a deep trust in God shaped by his own life experiences and his hope for what was yet to come. He had encountered God’s presence even amid his failures. But today, we know something David could only look forward to in faith—we know that Jesus is risen. Our hope is built not on imagination, but on the reality of the resurrection.
Because of Easter, our hearts are glad, and we rejoice. The words, “my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay,” now resonate with even deeper meaning. They are not just ancient words of hope, but a reflection of the truth we celebrate that Jesus rose from the dead, and that what God did for Him, He will one day do for all who are in Christ.
This resurrection hope is not only for life after death—it’s for life right now. It’s the assurance that God will “fill me with joy in your presence,” not only in eternity, but amid our everyday lives. The power of Easter morning is meant to be lived out daily, guiding us on the path of life to which we are called. That is the path of dwelling in his presence and then reflecting the hope of Easter to the world.
For Reflection
What is something you would do differently if you knew then what you know now?
Do you find it easy or difficult to have hope about the future?
How might you experience the joy of God’s presence in this week?
Prayer
Lord, we thank you for these words of David that remind us of how you make known the path of life for us. We thank you for all the ways that you have been with us through all the challenges that we face. We pray that you would inspire us with resurrection hope and help us to take the joy of Easter into this week ahead. Amen.