I wonder how in the world I could comment on so much content in one blog entry? It’s simply not possible, so instead I think I will offer a couple of reflections.
When I read Psalm 89 (toward the beginning) I have no idea that David is enduring a difficult trial. His praise for God is so pure, and his love is so “overflowing” that there isn’t any mention of himself in the writing. Even though David is filled with questions and anxiety, his love for God is on top of all of it. It seems to me that praising God came first for David, no matter what the issue was.
Speaking of praise, I continue to be impressed by David’s historical praises. He speaks of Abraham and Jacob and the plagues that delivered the people from Egypt as if they happened to him. His praise and celebration of God’s power are not based what has happened in his lifetime. I should be praising God for promising to keep a descendent of David on the throne forever, after all, that’s Jesus. Maybe my praises don’t go back far enough. Maybe it doesn’t matter that these events didn’t happen to me, after all, I’m not praising the event, I’m praising God who caused it. When is the last time I praised God for His faithfulness and called to mind his provision for Elijah by the ravens? Have I praised God recently for making His people victorious in their conquest of the promised land.
Come to think of it, I don’t remember David praising God all the time for allowing him to defeat Goliath. I wonder if David was so humble that he didn’t mention the things that called any attention to him. He did praise on a regular basis for God’s making him successful in battle. But that often seems more general, like something anyone could repeat. Maybe the praises we have in the Psalms are the one that bear repeating. And if that’s the case, God clearly wants us to praise Him even when we are in difficult circumstances, with many enemies assaulting us and when hope is fading away. I must confess that when times are difficult for me, my concerns outweigh my praises. That has to change.
Psalm 101 says “I will refuse to look at anything vile..” I wonder how that applies to television? I noticed some time ago that when I was watching something family friendly on TV that my devotions came easier, and my thoughts didn’t pull me into dark corners as often. Actually, I didn’t notice it right then, only when I finished that series and began to watch a weekly crime drama. The only thing that had changed was my viewing material…and it really wasn’t sinful material, but it wasn’t “lovely”. I wonder if my prayer life to “be more like Jesus” and my television choices are working against each other. I wonder what impact the things that I see have on my thought processes.
Psalm 101 bears reading more often. I didn’t remember that David made it his “daily task” to ferret out the evil people from the city. I wonder how that should apply to leadership today. What should my “daily task” be? Certainly not to push away those who are trying to be more like Christ. But is there a difference between those who are serious and those who are trying to pry their way in and derail what God is doing? Would I even know the difference?
Psalm 105:19 says “the Lord tested Joseph’s character” by allowing him to suffer in prison, and other difficulties. Therefore, God placed Joseph in every one of his dilemmas, and the purpose was to test his character. God allows “bad” things to happen to us, and sometimes he sends them our way in order to test our character! Huh. So I need to remember that when things don’t go my way. I wonder if God starts with small things, like watching my reaction when I don’t get my own way…or listening to see if I will interrupt someone else to share “what happened to me”. Those would be indications of selfishness, or ego..I think.
When David was “squeezed” praise came out. It didn’t matter if he was squeeze by hard times, rejection, failure, or success. Every time the world pressed David, he began to praise the Lord.
What comes out of me, when the world presses?
Faithfully,
PR