Monday, December 29, 2008

A Psalm for the New Year

December 29

A Psalm for the New Year


I've considered a lot of Psalms for this "award"....and this one stands out.

It is Psalm 145.

Reasons for its selection:

1. It was written by King David, who lived in such frequent turbulence and yet prevailed to make an impact that lingers thousands of years later. That cool.
(Read his story in I Samuel chapter 16 and follow. It will keep your attention!)

2. Though he had lots of reasons to be down, to quit, to not do what God had made him for, he became known as a man after God's heart, a worshipper, a writer of psalms. He also did the king thing - with mixed results. But through it all, he learned to live with his mind focused well.

3. Our times are turbulent and millions (yes, that's no exaggeration) are scrambling to maintain a positive attitude and interior stability.

4. Our inner dialog and the focus of our minds has very high impact on how we "are" and how we live. For instance, today, most of us will again make choices...will it be faith or fear, innitiative or withdrawal? joy or caution? boldness or undertainty? love for others or self-absorption? Our inner dialog - like the flags on a downhill course - determine mostly where we will "ski."

5. It is really not the circumstances that are controlling us...but the focus that we are choosing. Which of us don't have some dark clouds in the sky that could control us? Circumstances can be extremely powerful, but it is the set of the mind that is the final determiner.

So, before you read the rest of this blog entry, get a copy of Psalm 145 and read it slowly and connectively several times.

Now...here are some of my insights from doing the same.

1. David's mental focus...he is choosing to praise God and says that should be an "always and forever" thing...ie for all of us at any time. Praising God never will be "mental suicide."

2. Over 25 times David lists attributes of God in the Psalm...like "great, mighty, wonderful.."
Can you find the others in the text too?

3. You and I do have a part in getting interactive with the benfits of this Psalm. In several places David states something like: "the Lord is near to all who call on Him"

Don't know about you, but I am feeling something rise in me, to look to God in fresh and bolder ways in the days ahead...
...and to make sure my mind is focused well - which means on God.

Fox, CNN, The Times and webb...ah, they do inform.

But only God can keep our minds stable and whow us how to live lives that truly matter.

So for 09
lets do something fine..
Keep our minds
in right align.

Selah..

Dave

1 comment:

shirlene said...

Pastor Dave,
Thank you for your words of inspiration as we think about beginning another year. I look forward to your entries; check for them daily :)
I am also sharing them with others...my parents and our dear friend Lela Newcombe. (she turns 95 this year!!)
I am so thankful to know The One who is in control of everything. So let's keep looking UP, for He is returning soon.
Thanks again for your Pastor's Heart.
Love & Prayers, Shirlene