THE WELL-ORDERED LIFE

“The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance” – Psalm 16:6

God’s Will for His children is to enjoy the blessing of a WELL-ORDERED LIFE: “The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance” (Psa.16:6). The well-ordered life – one which is properly aligned with God’s Plan and Purpose – is the path to lasting pleasure. In this Psalm, David declared God as the ground of assurance for his hope of preservation. He revels in God as his safest refuge (v.1); and his Sovereign and Supreme Treasure (vv.2-3). He valued God so highly he would not dare to run after other gods (v.4). It would amount to sheer folly to turn away from the all-satisfying God only to embrace idols that leave one sorrowful in the end! God was His ultimate choice – Treasure of all treasures (v.5).

I can affirm with the Psalmist that whatever happens to me comes from the hand of God. He holds my lot. God decides, rules, and is my Sovereign. The “lines” in verse 6 speak of the border or boundaries God has appointed for me; and they have fallen for me in “pleasant places” or in “pleasures” – the same word used in verse 11: “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” The portion which I have in God is secured. It cannot slip from His grasp, nor be snatched out of His hand, nor can He in any way be despoiled thereof. God will uphold me in possession, and will give me timely direction and help to enjoy the inheritance of a well-ordered life.

God values Order and most societies put in place institutions and structures to enhance decency and order. However, collective order at home and work, and in communities, churches, cities, and nations, can only be sustained by individuals who understand, cherish, and cultivate order in their personal lives and relationships. A well-organised life provides good foundation for a life well lived. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand” (Psa.37:23-24). If we allow His Word and His Spirit, God will gladly order our steps in the path of His delight, and ensure that we do not trip, falter or fall. Even if we fall, we’ll fall forward into His perfect Will!

A well-ordered life is one that has conquered chaos and the “clutter conflict”; one that is free of clutter, not only in physical terms, but in all aspects of existence, including spiritual, emotional, and mental. Someone described this as a life that’s characterised by “a place for everything and everything in its place”! The reality is that the imperfect human being, without divine intervention, will always fall short of “the glory of God” (Rom.3:23b). We all need divine help for the Perfection of His Order in our lives. It’s amazing how much pleasure we can discover and enjoy once we look to the One who established Order in creation in the first place. God is the Specialist and Expert for all who need help with life’s mess and confusion.

If we give Him the room, God is willing and able to help us unclutter our thinking, rearrange our priorities, delete the dirty, filthy, and negative attitudes, and cause us to celebrate peace and order in all aspects of our live: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom.8:28). How pleasant would it be if we all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ could become Champions for Order in our domains and extend same to our circles of influence!