Makes me happy

I must confess, I'm really enjoying writing this blog.  I'm paying more attention to what the Bible says instead of just whizzing through to do my daily quiet time.  I have several translations and find switching between them makes it more interesting.  I would encourage anyone to do the same it's so inspiring.  It's also encouraging when someone comments, it's not just me, His Word speaks to us all.  Thanks.

This Psalm is a song of celebration!  It's a Sabbath song.  I love to sing to the Lord it's such a great way to worship.  When I used to commute for hours to work, I would crank up the Christian music and sing all the way.  I'd get to work, and be all sparkly and happy.  My co-workers and boss wondered about me...  But that's ok- I'd rather be happy and free then exactly what other people expect.

Psalms 92

1 What a beautiful thing, God, to give thanks,

to sing an anthem to you, the High God! 

2 To announce your love each daybreak,

sing your faithful presence all through the night, 

3 Accompanied by dulcimer and harp,

the full-bodied music of strings.

I first started experiencing God's joy after I accepted Christ as my Savior.  It's hard to describe the feeling before.  I would wake up in the morning and think, "Another day... now what?"  I felt so angry and hopeless.  But God literally made me happy!  Even after 34 years, He still makes me sparkle and sing.  God's joy is different from happiness.  Happiness is dependent on our circumstances, but joy?  It comes from God and right thinking.

4 You made me so happy, God.

I saw your work and I shouted for joy. 

5 How magnificent your work, God!

How profound your thoughts! 

6 Dullards never notice what you do;

fools never do get it. 

7 When the wicked popped up like weeds

and all the evil men and women took over,

You mowed them down,

finished them off once and for all. 

8 You, God, are High and Eternal. 

9 Look at your enemies, God!

Look at your enemies — ruined!

Scattered to the winds, all those hirelings of evil!

Ok as I read verse 10 I had to take a second look.  A charging bison?  Yikes!  That's not very ladylike.  Big legs, horns on top of your head, an extremely hairy face... Oy!  But think about the bison.  He's tough, he digs into the ground, gets his horns in position and rapidly charges.  I would not want to see a bison heading for me in this manner.  But as a Christian, I like it.  I dig into the Word.  I have purpose, direction, and I go full-steam ahead to where God leads me.  The trick, of course, is to be very sure your heading towards God's plan.  I'm still a bit shy and the idea of being honored by a parade is intimidating.  I'd like to see Jesus honored more, cheer others on.

10 But you've made me strong as a charging bison,

you've honored me with a festive parade. 

11 The sight of my critics going down is still fresh,

the rout of my malicious detractors.

My ears are filled with the sounds of promise:

When we stay in His Word and His presence (Psalm 91), we grow like a tree.  We get roots that hold us solid and steady, we bear fruit and can truly help others.  This is a common thread throughout the Bible.  It's good to be a tree.  And remaining in the presence of God keeps us virile even in our old age.  I read a prayer request today on a Christian forum, a man described his Mom as always having the right word from the Bible.  A steady person he could always go to for help and encouragement.  She always listened and let him talk about things.  I hope I'm like that as I age.

12 "Good people will prosper like palm trees,

Grow tall like Lebanon cedars; 

13 transplanted to God's courtyard,

They'll grow tall in the presence of God, 

14 lithe and green, virile still in old age."
15 Such witnesses to upright God!

My Mountain, my huge, holy Mountain!
THE MESSAGE
God bless you today, abundantly!