Keep It Real - Psalms 1 - 5
Although the Pauline letters are the standard for doing biblical counseling, one of my all-time favorite books to utilize, not only in counseling but in my own life as well as the Psalms. Of all the writers in the Bible, David really knew how to keep it real. Although it should not be, one of the hardest things to do sometimes when around other Christians is to keep it real, to be vulnerable. So often, we walk into the church doors with the mask firmly planted on our face, regardless of what our month, week, morning, or even the car ride to the church was like. We could have cried ourselves to sleep the night before, waking to feel no relief, yet, when we walk through the door, we smile as if it has been the best week. We have no care in the world, and we need no one. #lifeisgrand
My mom was once telling a story of a tough relational time in her life. My sister posed the question, "What did you do? Did you call your sister?" Now, there isn't anything wrong with seeking counsel from a family member, friend, pastor, counselor. Nevertheless, it was her answer that struck me in the heart. She said, "no, I prayed and sought God's guidance. What could my sister do, that God couldn't?"
That is just what we see here in Psalms 1 - 5 and will continue to see throughout the remainder of the Psalms. David was not perfect, and he never tried to display any sort of a false persona. What he did expose what a heart that felt pain, anger, fear, and doubts but never stayed despondent. He always showed that truth sets you free; to find freedom from fear one must find protection in God. To experience freedom from anger, one must remember that God will avenge and He is in control. To be released from doubt, one must focus on who God is and what God has already done. But, David knew that God never required nor does He desire for His people to stay silent before Him of their feelings; He already knows them.
Chapter 1 is paramount to the remainder of Psalms. David declares that there are only two ways: the way of the wicked and the way of the righteous. One of the thought-provoking aspects of the chapter is how it is laid out. When David wrote about the ways of the wicked, it is primarily about action rather than thought or passion from the heart. No Devotion. It is action without thinking. Listen:
How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path of sinners or join a group of mockers!
Whereas, when it comes to the one who is righteous, listen to what David writes:
Instead, his [righteous man] delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.
Now, listen to the consequences of the two:
Righteous:
He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Wicked:
The wicked are not like this [the way the righteous are...see above]; instead, they are like chaff that the wind blows away.
I encourage you if you have not already read through 1 - 5, to do so. Chapter 3, is so excellent, and it is a fantastic example of what I wrote before about David's vulnerability. He shows his fear in the beginning and then displays from where he knows his trust must come. He gives praise and recognition to God for even the things that we often take for granted, like being woken in the morning, having the ability to take that breath and open our eyes. In Chapter 4 he shows how quickly it could be become angry by what others say concerning us, yet, he reminds readers that there is a solution: "Be angry and do not sin; on your bed, reflect in your heart and be still. Offer sacrifices in righteousness and trust in the Lord" (vv. 4-5). Time and again, David goes back and forth with his thoughts and emotions, yet he always returns to the truth.
May this be a great reminder to our 2019 year, no matter what may come, to continually turn to what is true. May we remind one another of truth.
- God bless
