Seeking The Lord Through The Psalms
>> Saturday, August 23, 2008 –
Bible,
Faith,
Seek The Lord Sunday
This week, we're looking at the Psalms. Do you have a favorite? Or is there one that speaks to you recently?
To be honest, I had a hard time deciding on just one. It's not like I have an "answer" when I choose a topic for the week. I typically pray about it, or just have an interest in something...that's how it becomes a topic for STLS. This one just sort of popped into my head (thank you, Lord). So here I am...trying to figure out what to write about!
Since I can't decide on one chapter or verse in this awesome book...lucky you, I'm writing about two!
The first is Psalm 10:14:
To be honest, I had a hard time deciding on just one. It's not like I have an "answer" when I choose a topic for the week. I typically pray about it, or just have an interest in something...that's how it becomes a topic for STLS. This one just sort of popped into my head (thank you, Lord). So here I am...trying to figure out what to write about!
Since I can't decide on one chapter or verse in this awesome book...lucky you, I'm writing about two!
The first is Psalm 10:14:
"But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless."
I love this one because it tells me that God sees me. When I feel sad or lonely or depressed or worthless? God sees what I'm going through. I am not alone, even when it feels like I might be.
And not only does he see my troubles and grief...but He considers my pain and "takes it in hand". What does this mean? To me, this means he does something about it. Not only is he aware of what's happening, but he's an active participant in our lives. He's thinking for us. He's working for us. He's healing for us.
So many New Age religions demote God to some sort of mystical nebulous of happy feelings floating aimlessly through space. "We are what we believe". To this, I respectfully and lovingly say...BALONEY! The Bible tells of a God who is very very real, very personal.
He is a God who takes care of the victims in our world...and who hasn't been a victim at some point in our lives? Sin is everywhere and it affects us all. And he is a God who even sees the little ones who are without a father. They are orphaned and alone...but not really. God sees them. God loves them. God is taking their situation in hand. No one is too small or too "bad" for God to love and care for.
Have you been hurt by your sin? Have you been hurt by someone else? Does it feel like your life is in a shambles and like there's no hope? God sees you. He cares for you. He loves you. Be patient, cry on his shoulder if you'd like, and trust in Him to work it out for you. He has taken your situation "in hand". There is hope!
I guess, bottom line, this verse tells me that God cares for all the little things in our lives. He cares for the hidden things in our lives. He cares for the pain in our lives. And who could care for all of these little things but a very BIG God? He's awesome!
The other verse that struck a chord with me this week is Psalm 147:10-11:
I love this one because it tells me that God sees me. When I feel sad or lonely or depressed or worthless? God sees what I'm going through. I am not alone, even when it feels like I might be.
And not only does he see my troubles and grief...but He considers my pain and "takes it in hand". What does this mean? To me, this means he does something about it. Not only is he aware of what's happening, but he's an active participant in our lives. He's thinking for us. He's working for us. He's healing for us.
So many New Age religions demote God to some sort of mystical nebulous of happy feelings floating aimlessly through space. "We are what we believe". To this, I respectfully and lovingly say...BALONEY! The Bible tells of a God who is very very real, very personal.
He is a God who takes care of the victims in our world...and who hasn't been a victim at some point in our lives? Sin is everywhere and it affects us all. And he is a God who even sees the little ones who are without a father. They are orphaned and alone...but not really. God sees them. God loves them. God is taking their situation in hand. No one is too small or too "bad" for God to love and care for.
Have you been hurt by your sin? Have you been hurt by someone else? Does it feel like your life is in a shambles and like there's no hope? God sees you. He cares for you. He loves you. Be patient, cry on his shoulder if you'd like, and trust in Him to work it out for you. He has taken your situation "in hand". There is hope!
I guess, bottom line, this verse tells me that God cares for all the little things in our lives. He cares for the hidden things in our lives. He cares for the pain in our lives. And who could care for all of these little things but a very BIG God? He's awesome!
The other verse that struck a chord with me this week is Psalm 147:10-11:
"His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man; the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love."
I love how this verse basically takes things out of my hands. God is not interested or impressed by my strength or my intelligence. He's not interested in what I can do. He's not impressed by all the good stuff I'm doing. Why is He not impressed by this stuff? Because when I do good, or am strong, or am smart...if I'm doing it to impress, then it's not of God. It's of me, and it's pride.
What God does delight in though, is people who respect and trust Him. He want our hearts, not our strength. He wants our faith, not our good work. He wants us to lean on Him, not on ourselves.
So when I feel like a failure or like I'm not "doing" enough? This verse reminds me that what the Lord really wants from me is for me to trust in Him. To rejoice in the hope that his unfailing love offers me. Even in my lazy and good for nothing moments...I can do that. I can trust God. I can remind myself of His love. His unfailing love.
It's almost always in these moments of stillness and humbleness before God that I am refreshed....rejuvenated. And then, with the reassurance of His love for me, I can take on the world. I can to to work for Him...not because I want to impress, but because I want to bless. My work is then a response to God's love for me...not a way of trying to earn God's approval.
There's such peace in knowing that there's really nothing I can do outside of trusting Him! After that, He works out all the details :)
How about you? How have you sought the Lord through the Psalms this week, and what did you find?
I love how this verse basically takes things out of my hands. God is not interested or impressed by my strength or my intelligence. He's not interested in what I can do. He's not impressed by all the good stuff I'm doing. Why is He not impressed by this stuff? Because when I do good, or am strong, or am smart...if I'm doing it to impress, then it's not of God. It's of me, and it's pride.
What God does delight in though, is people who respect and trust Him. He want our hearts, not our strength. He wants our faith, not our good work. He wants us to lean on Him, not on ourselves.
So when I feel like a failure or like I'm not "doing" enough? This verse reminds me that what the Lord really wants from me is for me to trust in Him. To rejoice in the hope that his unfailing love offers me. Even in my lazy and good for nothing moments...I can do that. I can trust God. I can remind myself of His love. His unfailing love.
It's almost always in these moments of stillness and humbleness before God that I am refreshed....rejuvenated. And then, with the reassurance of His love for me, I can take on the world. I can to to work for Him...not because I want to impress, but because I want to bless. My work is then a response to God's love for me...not a way of trying to earn God's approval.
There's such peace in knowing that there's really nothing I can do outside of trusting Him! After that, He works out all the details :)
How about you? How have you sought the Lord through the Psalms this week, and what did you find?
1. Home with Amy | 2. Denise | 3. Everyday Becky |
Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.
I enjoyed this, be blessed dear one.
Found your blog through denise..
Isn't she a sweetheart?
I love the Psalms. In fact Psalm 150 is what I have on my post this week with the meme "Sabbath Sundays" It was started three weeks ago.
I enjoyed reading your comments on Psalms. Really good!
mary
I love Psalms! Right now my favorite is from Psalms 91. Forgive my paraphrase making the "he" a "she" cuz I'm a girl vs 14 to end of chapter...
"Because she has set her love upon me, there for will I deliver her. I will set her on high because she has known my name. She will call upon me and I will answer her. I will be with her in trouble, I will deliver her and honor her. With long life will I satisfy her, and show her my salvation."
One day I made a chart for those verses. One one side "my part" the other side "his part".
Here's my part:
1. Set my love upon Him
2. Know His Name
3. Call upon Him
His part:
He will deliver m
He will set me on high
H will answer me
He will be with me in trouble
He will deliver me
He will honor me
With long life will he satisfy me He will show me his salvation
Is it any wonder why I love Him so!
Here's one:
SIGHT-MARE, at THE MANE POINT
I love how you get right down to the nitty gritty, and call it like it is... "if I'm doing it to impress, then it's not of God. It's of me, and it's pride." Awesome! That is something I'm constantly having to tell myself, but I love how eloquently you put it. Helps keep it in the "swiss-cheese-mom-of-toddlers-brain" a bit longer.. ;)