Psalms Fun

I just finished reading Psalms this morning. It's taken me a few months with 2-3 Psalms read every Wednesday and today...I finished the last of all 150. I'm a bit sad about that really cause David and friends sure know how to write.

But is was great timing as I received an email slide show from my aunt...something I have seen before, but nevertheless, a great reminder of how amazing God and His word are.

The shortest chapter of the Bible is Psalm 117.
The longest chapter is Psalm 119.
And the centre chapter is Psalm 118.
There are 594 chapters before Ps 118 and 594 chapters after Ps 118.
Add 594 and 594 and you get 1188.
The central verse in the whole Bible is Ps 118:8.
What does the central verse have to tell us about God and life????
Check it out for yourself: Psalm 118:8
Clever!

Where's David?

The Psalms...you gotta love 'em.
150 chapters of David pouring out his heart to God.
Every human emotion expressed - joy, gratitude, despair, desperation, devotion, anger, sorrow, love, adoration, fear, anxiety................
It's almost like Psalms is in the Bible as a permission letter for us to do the same in our own relationship with God.
So....how are you going with that?
Are you:
spending time talking to God each day?
walking moment by moment with Him?
expecting to hear from Him?
taking the time to stop! and listen?
being honest with God?
praising? worshipping? thanking Him?
asking? pleading? presenting each situation to Him?

David did all those things...and more. And he was considered by God Himself to be 'a man after my own heart.' Wouldn't you like that said of you? Imagine God looking at you, turning to the angels and with a wide, joyful grin declaring: "See (insert your name here!) down there? S/he's a wo/man after my own heart." It's my desire that God would think and say such things about me, but I need to give Him reason too.

I read Psalm 142 as part of my Year Thru the Bible readings today. It reminded me of a number of things, lessons that I have learned already but needed to recall....

• I have a great life! David wrote this Psalm when he was hiding out in a cave because his best friend's Dad - the king (and the one he had faithfully served for years!) was out to kill him. No such worries for me.
• I need to be so thankful and express gratitude to all those who help make my life great. David cried out to God in pain, desperation, fear and need. There will be times when I do the same, but so often I am ever-so quick to acknowledge God and ask for help when times are tough, but when they are good, I forget to say 'thank-you' to Him. I also need to express deep and frequent gratitude and appreciation to my husband, son, family, friends and others who bless me. I know the blessing of a timely and sincere word of thanks...so how about I return the favour....often?
• There is nothing I will ever face that can separate me from God's love and presence. Here's David, in a smelly, dark cave and far from those he loves. He is being pursued by evil men and feels threatened, imprisoned, troubled. Yet he knows God is there and has the answers to his dilemma. 
• Even in the darkest times or most dreadful moments of life, there is hope. For David, the cave was not the end of the story. He ends up in a palace. David acknowledged God could and would rescue and free him...protect and provide.....strengthen and guide.....save and restore. God is still about the same business today.....only this time, He's working on behalf of you and I.

There you go....a few thoughts triggered from writing that is thousands of years old, yet still so relevant to us today.

The Psalms....you gotta love 'em.

Does this look like your life?

Psalm 112
Praise the Lord. Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands.
His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.
Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.
Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever.
He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.
He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.
The wicked man will see and be vexed, he will gnash his teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

Look at Psalm 112 as a) the pattern for living the life that pleases God and b)guaranteeing blessing. How are you measuring up?

Are you....
Praising him? My brother commented on a grace I prayed last week and called it a 'thanks-fest.' I don't know that he meant it as a compliment, but that's how I took it. Because I want God to look at me as a grateful child of His. How important it is to start our days and our prayers with thanksgiving and praise of our great God. It puts Him in the right place in our lives and gives us the right perspective on life.


Fearing Him? 'What a friend we have in Jesus' was a favourite old hymn we used to sing, but so often I don't have the right reverence and respect....fear...of God that I should have. I am way too familiar and some times downright disrespectful. I treat God worse than I would treat an enemy...not that I have any of those - that I know of. As LORD, He deserves much better than that.


Obeying Him? Verse 1 says I need to find great delight in following and obeying God. Sometimes I do...but sometimes, making the right choices is just plain hard. And I don't do it well. I get short and snappy at my kind husband...I judge others when I have no right to...I gossip in the name of sharing concerns...I am very selfish, looking for what I can get out of a situation. But the Bible clearly tells us how much God delights in our obedience...it matters to Him more than any sacrifice we might give. And it is one of the most powerful witnesses we can have.

But wait! There's more we are to do.....give generously, be gracious, compassionate, righteous, upright, trusting and just. Seems like God is asking a lot....but considering how generous He is, He offers great rewards for those who focus their eyes, their hearts and their desires on Him.

I absolutely love the promises for those who live Psalm 112.

• A blessing will be upon our families and children....what a gift that is...to them and to us.
• Wealth and riches....but not just for us to enjoy. They are to be the means by which we give to and bless others.
• We will see light in dark, difficult times. No time in my life has that been more obvious than during my year in Africa. One night, I was stuck in the capital city and needing to find my way home to my town, 25 minutes away. As it was only my first couple of weeks in the country, I had no idea which mini-van/bus to take from that part of the city. It was dark and I was surrounded by people who looked and sounded so very different to me, but I had a quiet confidence that God was with me and would provide a way home. And He did...in the form of a Ugandan angel....a lovely lady who not only took me to the right bus that would eventually take me to the depot for me to catch the bus home, but also jumped on with me to make sure I got there safely.
• I will also know goodness...be confident...feel secure....experience peace....know victory....stay calm....rest....enjoy my life.

What precious, life-changing, priceless gifts.
Thank-you God...YOU are SO GOOD!

Sport's Nut

Last night on Facebook I posted my heart's desire for the weekend....I don't want for much. Just victories in the football finals for the Titans...Saint Kilda....and St George Dragons. Okay...so perhaps my focus in September is somewhat clouded by the bedazzling array of sporting broadcasts....V8s last weekend, a so-close Wallabies win the weekend before, Comm. Games coming (we hope)....and of course footy finals galore.

Anyway, Game #1 of 3 is done and my team....lost - big time! Drat. That was definitely not the result I hoped for and along with every other Qld rugby league fan, I am disappointed that there will be no north-of-the-border team in next week's Grand Final. And truth be told, there's a good chance my other 2 tips for the weekend will also bow out losers.


So what does all this have to do with God? Well I am just reminded...as I have been repeatedly throughout the year as I have watched Casey Stoner crash out of races....Mark Webber total his car.....Jamie Whincup's Vs develop an oil leak just a few laps from a podium place....the Lions and Broncos fail to make the Top 8 for a final's berth....and the Australian men's swimming team's failure to fire at the Pan Pacs...that I cannot put my hope in man. Why would I rely on humans, be they sports people, politicians, singers, pastors, actors or others to be my source of joy, of purpose and value, of contentment. As humans, they disappoint, because they lose and they fail, they make mistakes and get it wrong....just like me. 

But more than that, they cannot offer what my God does. Check out Psalm 103 to see a list of His wonderful 'benefits.' No man, no matter how famous, wealthy, popular, talented can come close to blessing and fulfilling me the way the God of the Universe can.

Who else can and does and has"....redeemed my life from the pit?...crowns me with love and compassion?......forgives and heals?....satisfies?...works righteousness and justice?...not treat us as our sins deserve?.....amazing love and compassion for us?"

Wow! That list in Psalm 103 is better than any team's line-up for the big game and any driver's result in the Championship. It makes me want to do as verses 21-22 tell me to do (4 times!)...PRAISE HIM! Now that is a real heart's desire.


PS 2 challenges with this post...
1. Please pray for my friends Mr n Mrs B and their baby. Having a rough time right now and needing help, healing, peace.
2. Anyone else want to join me in memorizing Ps 103?? It's a challenge I have set for myself...any takers?