Wow, that’s a lot of psalms. Don’t worry, they’re short…and each one has at least one great piece of information.
So. It’s going to be a very busy day today, and I am forcing myself to sit and read, and then jot a few notes about what I read. I seem to remember it a little longer if I write about it. (I still forget, but it takes longer). Have you had those days when the “unredeemed” part of your spirit whispers “you have other things to do…come back to this later”? And then later never comes? Yep, me too. Some days I win that battle (like today). Other days I make an excuse and am convicted later. Don’t get me wrong, there are times when I simply cannot keep my morning routine, I’m not legalistic about it, I simply want to be faithful to start each day with Jesus.
When my youngest son was much younger, we would often go out for breakfast together. He would sit opposite me, half asleep and not hearing most of what I was saying. I would buy him a meal and he would only eat a few bites….but they were times that I looked forward to, and happy memories as well. This morning I find myself sitting opposite my heavenly father, not paying close enough attention, and only eating a portion of what he provided. But my love for him and his love for me are not in question, and even though I could be better (and perhaps one day will be) it’s the “being together” that is most important anyway.
In the interest of at least “trying to eat what’s on my plate….” let me take a look at each psalm individually, and note one good thing about each one.
131 – Humility allows me to accept that God is in control, and I can rest in that. I wonder…at those times when I feel like it all depends on me, and I am so busy…. could that be based on an overinflated sense of self? I need to meditate on the difference between being “at peace” and being lazy.
138 – God answers me as soon as I pray? Or was this just David? Sometimes it doesn’t feel like I have been answered, and I think David would agree. Perhaps he is understanding something that still escapes me. Humility turns up again in this psalm, God cares for the humble. The last thing I want is for God to take a couple of steps back and say “go ahead and do it your way, then”. That’s bound to fail.
139 – Even before I was born God knew me. That takes the wind out of the sails for those who favor abortion, doesn’t it? If I truly grasped that I am always in full view of God, whether in light or dark, in or out of town, in my home or in the church…..would it change my actions at all? I think I would be a little more resistant to temptation if I knew that God was looking straight at me. Oh, and David “hates” people who reject God? I don’t know if that is still okay today. I prefer to hate the sin and love the sinner, however if the sinner cannot be separated from the sin, at what point do you declare them an enemy of the Lord? Is it ever okay to hate?
143 – The word “depression” grabs me. David had periods of depression, when he was hounded by enemies or when he was ill. God is the final and best answer for depression. He can change our outlook, and quickly! Since he mentions “each morning” I make a note of what I should be hearing each morning: God’s unfailing love, where to walk, Instruction, Rescue, Progress
144 – There is a different mindset between those who are focused on war and those who live in peace. Both value peace, and perhaps the soldier wants it more badly than those who enjoy it already, but in his case, it is a longing for the future, not the present. In the present his will must be imposed upon his enemies, and they must be silenced, otherwise peace will not come. The soldier maintains a violent mindset, even when not in battle. There is a difference between those who grow up in times of battle, and those who don’t. I think commitment comes easier to those born in times of conflict. Since some of us grew up in times of peace, it’s harder for us to understand David’s thought processess.
145 – hey, this didn’t take too long after all. And, I feel good about taking the time.
Everything good comes from the Lord. But if one generation doesn’t live it out “telling the next” then that generation will forget. I see homes where this has happened. The adults know of God, but don’t live it, so the children never receive the lesson. Instead, the lesson they learn is that church and religion are optional and a variety of beliefs and practices are all acceptable. The true message has been lost. Unless a member of that household picks it back up from somewhere else, the message of God’s goodness is obscured. How very tragic.
I pray that all of my family, children, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters, in laws, etc. will understand that God is worthy from the way I behave and speak. I pray that my actions will always bring glory and honor to God, who I publicly confess is the author of all goodness, blessing, insight and sustenance. If it is worthwhile, then it comes from Him.
Thank you Lord.
Faithfully,
PR