Pondering the Psalms

Today, I am beginning a new focus for my blog(s). Until I'm moved to do otherwise, I am going to try and do a daily post based on my pondering the Psalms. If you've never read them before, or if you're led to read them again, I offer you the opportunity to post your own thoughts on the Psalm of the day.

I am not beginning at the beginning, nor do I promise to do so anytime while I'm doing this series. Rather, I will find an inspiration of the day and write on that.

The Psalms seem, in some ways, to be contradictory. Psalm 22, for instance begins like this: "My God!, My God, why have you left me all alone? "(Common English Bible) The NIV translation uses even stronger language. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Throughout verses 1-21, the Psalmist David vacillates between reciting God's deliverance of his ancestors and His apparent abandonment of David. He pleads with God because "trouble is near."

Then starting in verse 22, he begins to praise God, and admonishes others to do the same. I like this about David. I can relate, and I'm sure many of you can as well, to the fact that when things are not going so well we ask God, "Why have you left me all alone." However, unlike David, many of us forget to praise Him when our bad fortune turns to good. I include myself in this.

I do cry out for help when I'm drowning, and when I've been brought ashore and resuscitated, I say a heartfelt, "Thank you."  But the next day, do I remember to drop a note of gratitude in the mail, maybe make a donation to a seaman's widow in the name of the one who saved me? More likely, I return to business as usual. Drama over!

For me, when I'm mindful of such things, it helps to keep a journal. To nightly review my day and thank God for my blessings. To thank Him for rescuing me, but also to thank Him for the way my little dog, Gracie sits on my lap while I read, for the nice firm mattress I sleep on, for warm blankets in winter, and cool sheets in summer. For friends. For family. For a husband who loves me. For God's faithfulness to me even when I fall away.

Through Christ' grace we are forgiven for all things, even for not remembering to praise Him. But don't you think even he, even God is pleased when we say "Thank You?"

I am writing this rather late in the evening, so I will say, "Have a blessed night. May God's peace be with you."