Psalms 9 – 11
The reading starts off with a major point in verses 1 & 2:
1 I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
2 I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
Give thanks first! I know I forget this so often and get wrapped into living in the muck and mire of life. It is amazing how so many of us are in misery, yet we most seem to have roofs over our heads and basic necessities of life.
My complaints and glum outlook stem from my managing money and personal health. Yet I rarely thank God for a lovely wife of 22 years, two awesome children, a nice home, a job and more things to be thankful for than I can think of right now. My outlook stems from personal woes of poor financial decisions and just not doing anything for my health. If I would simply follow God’s outline in the “Law” for money management and eating, my complaints would be limited.
The key in prayer is to create “structure” so you don’t forget certain things, like giving thanks and confession of sin. I know a “formula” for prayer often leads to a heartless rambling to God, but often when I “free form” my prayers they get egocentric and miss the mark. So don’t forget to give thanks for things in your life, including trials which will eventually give you insight and strength.
Now chapters 10 & 11 could apply to today as they did 3500 years ago. Verses 1 – 3 eerily seem written for today:
1 Why, O LORD, do you stand far away?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
2 In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor;
let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised.
3 For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul,
and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the LORD.
Many times we go through life and wonder where God is in the midst. We forget that God is omnipresent and therefore is always by our sides. We often miss noticing God when things are messy and we get wrapped up in life. Often it’s not until months after that we see God never left our side, but was gently guiding us. It is just like learning to swim, we will never learn if God keeps propping us up. Sometimes we need to go underwater and panic before we really figure it out. God loves to be a part of our lives, but as an observer and not a crutch.
The last verse of this reading hits the nail on the head:
7 For the LORD is righteous;
he loves righteous deeds;
the upright shall behold his face.
We need to pursue God and seek his favor, not just expect it to be given. Sure salvation is a gift, that has no strings attached and works will not get you into heaven, but we should be actively pursuing a relationship with God and therefore wanting to do his work. Don’t just rest on the laurels of God’s salvation, try to please him daily.