July 2, 2010 (Various Psalms)

I've been swamped lately. Overwhelmed actually. And my handling of it, for the most part, has been just like "anyone else's" handling of it would be - but I'm not like "anyone else". I'm a child of the King. He tells me not to worry about things. He tells me He's in control. He tells me He loves me and He wants me to trust Him and to praise Him. But lately I've been 'grumbling'. As I read the following this morning, I was convicted.

^{Psalm 106:24} The people refused to enter the pleasant land,
for they wouldn’t believe his promise to care for them.
²⁵ Instead, they grumbled in their tents
and refused to obey the Lord.

I have been doing a lot of "grumbling" lately. A lot of complaining actually. In that regard, I've been acting just like the 'pagans' act - You wouldn't be able to tell any difference from me and anybody else. God, please forgive me. Help me to act like Your child - one who is secure in Your promise to care for me.

My next reading was Psalm 1. Another reminder that God wants my undivided attention:

¹ Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
² But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
³ They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.

And then a reminder of how God wants us to act. Again, conviction, as I think about how easy it is to 'slander' others:

Psalm 15

A psalm of David.

¹ Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?
Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?
² Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right,
speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
³ Those who refuse to gossip
or harm their neighbors
or speak evil of their friends.
⁴ Those who despise flagrant sinners,
and honor the faithful followers of the Lord,
and keep their promises even when it hurts.
⁵ Those who lend money without charging interest,
and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent.
Such people will stand firm forever.

And then, as I was flipping through to Psalm 68, this was highlighted from Psalm 50:

²² Repent, all of you who forget me,
or I will tear you apart,
and no one will help you.
²³ But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me.
If you keep to my path,
I will reveal to you the salvation of God.