Psalm 101:2
I will behave myself wisely and give heed to the blameless way—O when will You come to me? I will walk within my house in integrity and with a blameless heart.
The blameless way is counter cultural. Behaving wisely isn't the norm. I'm so thankful its mine. I can't claim its because I was always so spiritual but I was also fearful. I often was afraid of the wrath of God and didn't understand the mercy and loving kindness of Abba Father. I appreciate those years though because they kept me out of trouble. They also showed me, even under the wrong influence, how much better it is to be a woman of integrity. Having strong moral principles has created in me an appetite for God's way. I so desperately want to be right but even more than that I want to be able to worship freely and when I'm not trying to walk in the way of the Lord, while failing miserably, my relationship suffers. It also stands out to me that this verse talks about having a house of integrity. That brings up for me the desire to present my future bride "without spot or wrinkle" at the altar on my wedding day. I am the head of my household and my wife's purity is important to me. I want to be able to say that I never let my level of commitment to her exceed our level of intimacy.
Psalm 101:5
I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors.
I will not endure conceit and pride.
This one is hard. Everyone loves tea but there's a distinct difference. Slander is designed to damage someone's reputation. That's a thin line. I find that its easiest for me to walk this line when I look at the data or compare something to an accepted standard. Right now I'm involved in a situation that looks bad because the data is bad. You can't dispute the data. I'm not destroying anyone's reputation. They have done that on their own but I am observant enough to see a pattern.
I have to remember not to be prideful myself but the thing about that is that I know better. How? Because I know I didn't get any of these places on my own. I know it was God. I know it in the marrow of my bones. I'm super careful to give Him the honor but if I ever forget, feel free to check me!
Psalm 102:1-2
Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come to You.
Hide not Your face from me in the day when I am in distress! Incline Your ear to me; in the day when I call, answer me speedily.
I know God hears me. I know it matters that I get on my knees everyday. I know that even in the silence He's able. Faith is not only believing He can but He will. That's where the rock meets the hard place. Knowing God can and believing He will is the literal leap of faith. I've leapt a few times. I' made a leap just this Sunday. When God answers you, you have to know 1. Its God and 2. His Word never returns to Him void. That doesn't mean the sky will crack open and everything you wanted it waltz into your life. It means....you guessed it WAITING on the Lord.
I've found that distress prevails when I don't pray. Prayer doesn't make it easier but it makes things possible. Its possible for me to face the world because I've spent time with Him. Everything ain't easy and it isn't supposed to be. God is a God of possible.
Psalm 102:18
Let this be recorded for the generation yet unborn, that a people yet to be created shall praise the Lord
The scientist in me would say this is crazy but I think it matters that I praise God with every single egg I'll ever possess within me at this very moment. There is a culture of worship established in this body. Every baby coming out of this body or my wife's will know God and know that we believe in a God that's able. Every person who carries my last name will praise God. If I am ever blessed enough to be given a child, I'm going to give them right back to God. This is my legacy, a legacy of human faithfulness to a supernatural God. Its why I find it so essential to pray with fervor about my future household. It is my job to rear them in the way of the Lord.
Psalm 103:1
Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is [deepest] within me, bless His holy name!
This is a verse I say all the time. I had no idea though that it was a verse in the Bible! All that is within me<--- powerful stuff. But it also means I'm bringing everything. The dark, the dank, the dirty, the despairing. I'm bringing the frailty and fragility of my humanity to every experience with God. He knows the number of hairs on my head and He also knows things about me I have yet to find out. I think the idea of bringing all of it to God, a perfect and holy God, demonstrates His mercy and His desire for relationship. I have the right to bless Him even in my condition because He loves me so. He thinks I'm valuable.
Psalm 103:4
Who redeems your life from the pit and corruption, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy;
God did it! That's who. That's who redeems my soul and makes me acceptable to stand in His presence with joy. God did that. He took the ashes of my life and made something beautiful. He justifies me and showing me unmeasurable amounts of mercy.
Psalm 103:12
As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us
God sees me as clean as freshly fallen snow. And to turn this on its head, If iniquity turned darkness into like, I'm color darker than black. That's what God has done. The sinful nature of my humanity is removed from me by the faith in Jesus, who is the Christ. Now the trick is to remember that. I can't let transgressions God doesn't even see keep me from my Savior. That's hard. This memory of the things I've done that weren't pleasing to Him is long but His memory of me is washed in the blood of the Lamb. Its about time I make my mind more like God's huh?
Psalm 103:14
For He knows our frame, He [earnestly] remembers and imprints [on His heart] that we are dust.
God knows we're just dust. He remembers that He formed us from earth and to earth our bodies will return. He knows we can't do any better. When He created us, He knew He'd have to make a way for us to remain in relationship with Him. The word imprint stood out for me because I remember from Twilight....yes pop culture reference in my devotion.....that imprinting is something that isn't removable. Its a permanent bond. That idea helps me think of how deeply God knows of my own failings and how willing He is to make up the difference.
Psalm 104:24
O Lord, how many and varied are Your works! In wisdom have You made them all; the earth is full of Your riches and Your creatures.
God made everything. Now let's think about this logically. I'm a scientist. Scientists are in the business of categorizing thing. We like to know stuff. Enter the naming system for species. I am homo sapien sapien. That's the name of my species. Now think about the fact that we are still discovering new species and animals and insects and things every day? Girl WHET?!?!? Like we still don't know about everything He made on this planet. My mentor said it to me like this. "I know I'm smart but I also know how much I don't know. That alone tells me there is a God." <---A chemist said this. This pharmaceutical scientist cosigns! ::nods head vigorously::
Psalm 104:34
May my meditation be sweet to Him; as for me, I will rejoice in the Lord
I pray the time I spend with the Lord rises up to Him and is a sweet aroma of praise. I've gotten confirmation after confirmation that the sacrifice of study and worship I'm offering God is exactly what He wants from me. It isn't easy though. Remember when I said sacrifice? Guess who didn't want "How to Get Away With Murder" last night? Why? Because I don't want to be dog tired when I read the Word or approach His throne. I also look forward to my quiet time before the throne each and every day. I love seeing what He has for me through His Word everyday.
Psalm 105:2
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; meditate on and talk of all His marvelous deeds anddevoutly praise them
Right before I copied this verse, "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" played on my Pandora. That's my favorite hymn. Enough said.
Psalm 105:4
Seek, inquire of and for the Lord, and crave Him and His strength (His might and inflexibility to temptation); seek and require His face and His presence [continually] evermore.
And now Chasing After You is playing. Well okay then Jesus! I actually wanted to walk down the aisle to this song at one point in my life. Not so much any more but we will see. I definitely think my marriage will be chock full of seeking after Him. I can't wait to chase after the Lord hand in hand with my wife. Talk about a prayer on my lips directly from heart. I have a desire to be in His presence. I want more and more of Him. I try to make sure worship is the first thing I hear in the mornings when I'm not fasting. Right now its the only thing I hear and that's just fine with me! Seek and ye shall find <---Huge in the Kid's life! I'm always in need of Him for counsel, for safety, for reassurance, for realignment of purpose, for clarity of vision, for understanding, for love, for beauty, for continued fervent faithfulness to the promises He's made me. I'm after Him because in chasing Him I've found everything I've ever wanted. I will go.
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