“The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance” (Ps. 16:6 NKJ).
How many truly contented people do you know? How many of your friends or acquaintances seem to be satisfied with their lot in life? Listen to the man David as he begins to write the sixteenth Psalm:
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places…. This statement has all the indications of an expression of great contentment. It evokes an image of surveying boundary lines and measuring off a person’s inheritance. David seems to be saying that his allotted territory is a source of satisfaction to him.
This poem is called a michtam psalm, a title given to six of the psalms of David. In Hebrew the word michtam has to do with etching, engraving, and inscribing. Having a familiarity with gold and etching, Bible scholars saw this as a “golden text.” The King James Version labels it “a michtam of David.” James Moffatt describes it as “a golden ode of David.” This could mean that this psalm needs to be etched in the mind and recorded there as a message worth remembering.
…Yes, I have a good inheritance. “Life has been good to me,” David seems to be saying. “My father left me this property and I am quite contented with it. The view is good. The brooks are clean and cool, and the meadows are green and lush. The land is well situated. My heritage is truly pleasing, indeed!”
Can you say this about your heritage – your home, job, neighborhood, church, town, station in life? David could! So can we, when our heart is at peace with God.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.