Psalm for February 20, 2013

I love the Psalms and their rich tapestry of emotion. Its example gives me the freedom to let the Lord hear the depths of my heart from my own mouth, though He knows everything anyway. His goal is relationship, conversation, conversion and replication of His Son in us. Here is the psalm that flowed from my heart today...

O Lord, if I have been arrogant in any corner of my heart, forgive me. You have elevated me, and You are bringing me low. I know You discipline with perfect love those whom you love.

You've given me abundant friends and family whose arms are never too short to cheer me or to help me move mountains.

You give me Your Word of salvation and truth implanted with wisdom, offering forgiveness to all.

You honor Your people and give them great latitude in learning, great compassion in failings and greet them when it is time for them to rest with their fathers.

How great is this love that You have shown to mankind, and who are we to deny You? But in Your great love and perfect justice, you allow us even this folly of following our own minds.

How merciful You are to take us back into Your fold when we've strayed even beyond our imaginations' ability to envision reconciliation. Yet, You are there to take us back when we but humbly turn from our ways and seek Your Face, fixing our eyes on Your Son.

Bless my family and friends. Comfort the hurting. Open the eyes of the blind. Strengthen Your people with the helmet of Christ, the bullet-proof vest of doing right, the belt of truth, the shield of faith, the sword that is the Bible and the shoes that bring the Gospel of Peace that Jesus preached and died for, and now lives sitting at Your right hand. 

I humbly come to You in prayer asking that Your Kingdom come to all men.

Thank you for hearing my heart.

Today's treasure is Psalm 8

This post is dedicated to Lynn Anderson who taught me to treasure the Psalms in his book Talking Back to God: Speaking Your Heart to God through the Psalms.