Psalm 16:5-6 (NKJV): O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance.
I believe one of the great secrets to David's rise and success is found in his own 'miktam' (engraving of words from the heart) written in Psalm 16. The word 'portion' in Psalm 16:5 here is pronounced 'maw-naw' in Hebrew, which means 'allotment'. David believed God has given him an allotment (portion), i.e. His inheritance for him, and his cup 'runs over' (see also Psalm 23:5). Not only that, he also believed God has always been maintaining (upholding) his portion (including his destiny in life)!
In Psalm 16:6, David wrote, 'The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance'. The word 'lines' here is 'kheh-bel' in Hebrew, which actually means 'God's measured inheritance (or portion) for him'. Yes, in fact, each of us as God's beloved has also been given a measure of His inheritance. And this 'measured inheritance' has fallen to you in pleasant places! What is the word 'pleasant' here in Hebrew? It is 'naw-eem', which can mean 'delightful, sweet, agreeable'. I like the word 'agreeable' here. It means God always wants to lead you to places where there are people who are 'agreeable to you' and 'agreeable to God's vision/calling for your life'! In other words, people who are sons and daughters of peace toward you!
Recently, I heard these words during a time of worship and prayer:
"The new wind from the Lord has begun blowing. This wind is getting stronger and stronger, and it's blowing on you too! Many of you thought you have lost your time or opportunity, but the Lord says you have not lost your time or opportunity yet. Tap into this new wind that is getting stronger and stronger! Like an eagle, you'll soar with this wind. Don't let anyone or the devil make you think you have lost your time or opportunity. You are still on time. You are still on the right track. And your best opportunity has yet to arrive, and is coming!"
People of God, if you are reading this, these words are for you too. Let this new wind of the Spirit blow and lead you on.
Psalm 16:7 then says, 'I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel'. This word 'counsel' is 'yaw-ats' in Hebrew, which can also mean 'guide, advice, purpose'. Yes, begin to bless the name of the Lord who has given you new purpose. New wind brings new purpose!
Psalm 16:11 confirms this purpose. It says, 'You will show me the path of life', i.e. 'the path that leads to life, and not death or trouble'! See? The path that leads to life! This is His purpose for you in this new season! And as you continue to remain in His presence, there's also the fullness of His joy.
And finally, David wrapped up this 'miktam' (Psalm 16) with 'At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore'. Now, who is at God's right hand today? You (who are in Christ)! Because Christ is at God's right hand (see Ephesians 1:20), as He is, so are you! (1 John 4:17) The word 'pleasures' here is again 'naw-eem' (same as in Psalm 16:6), which can mean 'delightful, sweet, agreeable'.
So, we can now conclude that it is God's pleasure to always lead you to 'pleasant places' or 'agreeable places' while you are still on earth! Let His wind blow and lead you this new season!
What is the definition of 'pleasant places' or 'agreeable places' in God's eyes?
It is 'a place of favor where there are many sons and daughters of peace toward you'! However, let me qualify my words here - What the world sees may not be what God sees in regard to 'pleasant places'. For example, to most people in Joseph's days, Egypt wasn't a 'pleasant place' at all (with all the oppression from Pharaoh, etc), but to Joseph, it was a 'pleasant place' (where he prospered and received great favor from Pharaoh himself!). To most people in David's days, the Cave of Adullam wasn't a 'pleasant place' at all (where only those in distress, in debt, and discontented were), but to David, it was indeed a 'pleasant place' (where he found favor and started to build an army from scratch!).
You may be going to one of the more 'liveable' cities on earth, but you may still get robbed! You see, as a matter of fact, there's really no completely safe place in this world, because we are all living in a fallen world. The only real safe place is found when you are in His presence (see Psalm 91:1-2). On the other hand, you may be in one of the more 'notorious' cities on earth, but because God has called you there (and to fulfil His purpose there), you'll still be safe and surrounded by sons and daughters of peace! (where no evil can succeed to touch you) No doubt, there may still be some challenges wherever you are, but because His grace is strong enough for you, you will triumph! Some people may still gossip about you or speak against you, but if God is with you, you need not fear.
So, it's not about how nice a place is from the worldly point of view, but where God wants to lead you to. In short, it doesn't mean a 'pleasant place' in God's eyes has to be pleasant in worldly eyes.
And wherever God leads you and orders you to go, He'll also see to it that He'll back you up! That's exactly what happened to David himself!
Here are some of David's 'pleasant places' in his walk with God on earth:
(a) The Valley of Elah (see 1 Samuel 17:17-51) - he happened to be at the right place and at the right time, positioned to defeat Goliath (who represented the Philistines). Here, David pulled down the 'stronghold' of the Philistines. By the way, 'Elah' can also mean 'stronghold' in Hebrew.
(b) The Cave of Adullam (see 1 Samuel 22:1-2) - he escaped to this cave where the people (those in distress, in debt, and discontented) gathered to him. God was with him, and he became captain over them and started to build an army from scratch (i.e. from nothing).
(c) The City of Hebron (see 2 Samuel 2:1-7) - he was anointed king of Judah here. 'Hebron' means 'a place of joining together, or a place of associating together'. When the Lord raises you up or promotes you, He'll also cause people to gather to you. This happened to David when he obeyed God's instruction to go to Hebron.
(d) The City of Jerusalem (see 2 Samuel 5:1-10) - 'the wind of the Spirit' then swept him to Jerusalem, where he reigned as king over all of Israel and Judah.
2 Samuel 5:10 then put it aptly, 'So David went on and became great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him'.
The secret we can learn from David this day? He believed and lived by all that he has written in Psalm 16, and therefore, he went on to become one of the great kings (if not the greatest) in all of Israel and Judah. He has indeed walked into God's very inheritance for his life.
People of God, you too are the 'Davids' (i.e. God's beloved) of this day. Will you also allow God's Spirit to blow and lead you to the 'pleasant places' meant for you? Indeed, at His right hand are 'pleasant places' forevermore (Psalm 16:11). This, my friend, is your good inheritance (Psalm 16:6) that is meant for you. Amen!
