THANKFUL

Monday, June 6, 2022

Lord, in the psalmist determination to forsake his “hot one day, cold the next” walk with You, he ordered his soul to change course. Psalm 101, the “I will” psalm, records his new disciplines. It’s noteworthy that the first step he chose was to change what he says about his circumstances. Instead of whining and complaining about the negatives in his world, as he [we] are tempted to do, he made a commitment before God.  “I will sing of Your love and justice. I will praise You with songs,” (verse 1).  

Lord, at first did the psalmist find this easy? Probably not. For most folks, myself included, singing and praising You in good times is a snap. However, for most folks, again myself included, grumbling is our default when confronted with difficult times or when sudden, unexpected interruptions detour our plans.  But the psalmist found that as he praised You, the seriousness of these earthly, temporary trials began to fade. When You opened the psalmist eyes to see his circumstances as You see them, what seemed like a mountain to the psalmist he now saw a just a mole hill.  Praising and worshiping You brings our soul and spirit into the warmth of Your presence, soothing whatever fears our inner self may have.  Following the psalmist plan to sing and speak of Your steadfast love, Your goodness and mercy as we declare Your grace, Jesus, that redeemed us from our sins, we’re reminded of this one great assurance—whatever our circumstances, You’ve got this, Lord.

Amen