We have read about God’s protection, His blessings, and the confidence we can have in Him. In Psalm 16:9, the Psalmist proclaimed, “My heart is glad, my glory rejoices, my flesh will dwell securely”. In verse 10, he gives his reason for this statement – because God will not abandon his soul to hell; because Christ arose from the dead.
Psalm 16:10 For Thou wilt not abandon my soul to Sheol; neither wilt Thou allow Thy Holy One to undergo decay.
According to the above scripture, how certain can God’s children be of their future in heaven?
Psalm 16:10 says He will not abandon us to hell. This is a promise to those who have placed their trust in Christ alone. We have all heard stories of animals abandoned and even babies and children abandoned. Abandonment means to leave. We can be abandoned by friends in school, and by family when opinions differ.
There are things that can make us feel abandoned or alone, but the truth is, as God’s children, we are never alone. God will never forsake His children. We can walk away, we can look the other direction and get confused, we can even buy into the lies of Satan for a while, but if we are truly His chosen child, He will always be right there waiting for us. What an incredible comfort this truth is to those who believe. The truth that we will not be abandoned like the stray dog in the field or the newborn baby that is cast aside and not wanted, should fill our heart and soul with ridiculous, intoxicating joy! Heaven is your final destination if you have genuinely accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
Just as we cannot earn heaven – it is a gift received by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone – we cannot un-earn heaven. Think about this! There is nothing you can do to ‘lose’ your salvation. You can mess up, make a bad decision, sorrow for the things you should have done differently, however, God’s love and gift of salvation to His children is unconditional and permanent. I used to have a printed canvas on my wall that read, “The measure of love is to love without measure”. There is no measure of God’s love. It extends beyond our understanding. We don’t deserve it, we cannot earn it, but God chooses to give it.
The word used in Psalm 16:10 for hell is Sheol. It is the Hebrew word for the land of the dead, the infernal regions, the nether regions, the abyss, the abode of the damned, eternal damnation, eternal punishment, perdition, hellfire, fire and brimstone, or Hades. We have all heard of at least one or two of these words for hell. Why do you think there is a debate about heaven and hell? If you want to get into a lively conversation with someone, just ask them if they believe in heaven and hell. I think there is an underlying concern in each of us that heaven and hell is real. The Bible even tells us we will be without excuse. We will not be able to say we did not know; we will not be able to say we did not understand.
Romans 1:18-20 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
The Prophet Isaiah speaks of the blessing of heaven and God’s faithfulness – because of Christ alone, sin is defeated. This is not trivial. Whether you believe in God or not, no matter what church organization you associate yourself with, ignoring what happens when you physically die will not change God’s existence or judgment. Let’s say you don’t believe in heaven or hell, or God, or religion, or you think that when you die you simply cease to exist. You have the freedom to choose what you want to believe. However, if God is real, and His word is Truth, there is a judgment to come which will include all people. Then what? If you have rejected His Son, hell will be your end. If you have accepted His Son, you will live in heaven with Him for eternity.
Isaiah 38:17 "Lo, for my own welfare I had great bitterness; It is You who has kept my soul from the pit of nothingness, for You have cast all my sins behind Your back. "For Sheol cannot thank You, death cannot praise You; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for Your faithfulness.
The first part of Isaiah 38:17 speaks of God’s faithfulness. The second part speaks of the miseries of hell – there is no thankfulness, no praise, and no hope. There will be no opportunity to change your mind! You can say you were wrong, you messed up, you now believe in Him; but it will be too late and separation from God’s love, blessings, and care will be your eternal destiny.
The opposite is Heaven. Those who believe in Jesus and have accepted His gift of salvation need not fear hell because Jesus’ resurrection was victorious over sin and death. In fact, when your physical body dies, you can look forward to the promise of being in heaven with Jesus. The Apostle Paul wrote of his desire to be with Jesus when addressing the church at Philippi.
Philippians 1:22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.
The second half of Psalm 16:10 speaks of Jesus’ victory over sin and death. It reads, “Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay”.
Thy Holy One – one who is the object of God’s favor, and so a recipient of divine grace… Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary
To see corruption or to undergo decay; “Christ's body arose from the grave without seeing corruption, Ac 2:25-28,31; and the bodies of believers shall be delivered from corruption by virtue of their union with him”, Family Bible Notes.
“Into the outer prison of the grave his body might go, but into the inner prison of corruption he could not enter. He who in soul and body was preeminently God's "Holy One," was loosed from the pains of death, because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. This is noble encouragement to all the saints; die they must, but rise they shall, and though in their case they shall see corruption, yet they shall rise to everlasting life”, The Treasury of David.
Psalm 4:3 But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself; the LORD hears when I call to Him.
“The victory of our Lord Jesus Christ over death and hell was a victory for himself the head, and for his body the church. Because God has shown him the path of life, he will show it to them also that are united to him by faith. Though their bodies go down to the grave, they will not be left there for ever. When Christ shall appear the second time, all who have died in him shall be raised up incorruptible and glorious”, Family Bible Notes.
1 Corinthians 15:52-54 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory.
Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from death so that those who have placed their trust in Him completely for salvation are saved from hell to eternal life. This is the truth that motivated David and all the saints before us.
Are you able to say, “My heart is glad, my soul rejoices, and I am secure for all eternity because God loves me and sent His Son”?
