Journal Ps 85-86 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)
Scripture: “There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.
For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.
Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.
I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. For great is your steadfast love toward me…” Ps 86:8-13a
Observation: When I sing, is the tense about me, or is it about God?
Analysis: I appreciate reading the Psalms. The Psalmist lays out his heart for us to see how real he is. Among other things, David says,
“Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day. Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.” v 3-4
It doesn’t sound so happy or joyful, but it does sound like the moaning and groaning I go through at times. But, here’s the kicker, David does verbally recognize Sovereign God: “There is none like You…nor are there any works like yours…You alone are God…”
I forget cultivating this mindset. I complain about my lot in life. Big things, little things, nuisance things, stupid things. I complain about huge things, political things, social things—and in all I forget that God is over all. He alone does great things and the evil things that happen in my generation he is aware of and does not forget.
Where is the most value expended for my life? Is it being a soldier against evil or is it to seek His Face; to walk in his Truth; to give thanks for all things (Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. c 1 Thes 5:18)
Hard to say although I think David has encountered the question in his life many times.
Prayer: Father, when I encounter the same question, I think I choose properly. When around others I start to second guess.
Keep me from being a double minded man. I am unstable enough even without being double minded.
Amen.
Ricky Two Shoes