Through out the centuries the Psalms have served as a prayer book.
Their draw, to the human heart, is their ability to relate to all sorts of emotion and human drama.
Reading the Psalms can often spark something, in one’s mind or heart, that will begin a conversation with God.
David, who is the composer of most Psalms, wrote — or rather prayed — what he knew.
He knew about people and life; and what he somehow knew about God.
It seems he was a man of great personal experience.
He wrote of great joy, deep pain and tradgity.
He very seldom, hardly ever, left God out of the mix.
He was quite confident in God’s loving kindness, supportive compassion, all-knowing wisdom and passion for justice; and his dislike of evil — mean — of any kind.
It must have been an extraordinary life David live; knowing, believing, having faith that no matter what he faced God was alway present to right a wrong and bless the good.
It makes me wonder what David would write about today.
How would he perceive God working in all the greed, and power struggles in our world.
I wonder because it is difficult to hold tight to the idea that God is as present to us, in this gun happy, mud slinging, money worshipping world, as he was to the people of David’s time.
Even though we are told that there were power mongers then too. People who perform all matter of evil, unkind, acts. (read verses 1-4 )
It just seems God was more actively present. That people had more of a connection, the natural ability to communicate and hear God.
Communication with God, and giving God honor, was the main focus in the majority of people, of that culture.
Still today, in that nation, the call to prayer is public. Three times a day, for all people to hear a loud siren, like sound, fills the air in every town, city and village; calling people to stop. Stop what they are doing and pray.
Imagine, in the United States of America, if all people were publicly reminded -- three time a day -- to stop and pay attention to God’s presence.
Just imagine how that might effect our cultural focus.
Here is what I am sure of: if we all stopped trying to be in control of life; and simply began to try — just try — to be open to God.
Taking time to have a small conversation with God.
Just telling him our doubts and fears.
Asking him to help us to trust him. To strengthen our faith. Asking him for his wisdom and guidance.
Things and people would change.
Personally, what I do know is that when we communicate with God — how ever that is — we are preparing our hearts to receive the wonders of God’s movement within our being.
Jesus tell his followers: you will need to lose your learned logical minds; and recover a-child-like-mind. An uncluttered mind not filled with all sort of assumptions. And claim a child-like willingness to learn — to be open —to the possibilities of God.
When we do that there is, in time, tiny steps toward a spiritual release that occurs.
A transformion, if you will, in our ability to begin to perceive God’s closeness in our daily live.
This release of control does not happen over night.
It is a gradual growth that was actually begun long ago when we were children. Somehow stunted by life.
We grew up and became capable, self sufficient.
Sadly life’s growing responsibilities stole away our child-like freedom — our pure, innocent imagination
And we misplaced that child-like-wonder. Wonder that allowed us to sit, or run, or jump, or giggle with God.
Just glad to know he loved us just because we were told it was true.
Free to just simply be in God’s amazing grace.
Thats all, just be.
7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.
1 Transgression speaks to the wicked
deep in their hearts;
there is no fear of God
before their eyes.
2 For they flatter themselves in their own eyes
that their iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
3 The words of their mouths are mischief and deceit;
they have ceased to act wisely and do good.
4 They plot mischief while on their beds;
they are set on a way that is not good;
they do not reject evil.
5 Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your judgements are like the great deep;
you save humans and animals alike, O Lord.
7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.
10 O continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
and your salvation to the upright of heart!
11 Do not let the foot of the arrogant tread on me,
or the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 There the evildoers lie prostrate;
they are thrust down, unable to rise. (Ps.36)
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