Just doing our best

I love this Psalm.  I became a Christian at age 16.  It's a good thing too...  I got into all sorts of wrong things, I even knew all the wrong words to use.  Reading this Psalm reminds me of the journey we all go through.  None of us are perfect- that's for sure.   We're all doing the best we can.  It was written by David.

Psalms 101

 
1 My theme song is God's love and justice,

and I'm singing it right to you, God. 

All we can do is the best we can.  I find praying for the Holy Spirit to help is a good way to handle situations where I don't know what to say or do.  Many of us are wondering when Jesus will come back.  Here's another Psalm that speaks of the second coming of Christ from the Old Testament. We don't know the time but things are getting stranger everyday.   It's interesting that this Psalm talks of how we behave at home, where it counts.  It really does affect how things go when you go out in public.

2 I'm finding my way down the road of right living,

but how long before you show up?

I'm doing the very best I can,

and I'm doing it at home, where it counts. 

This part of the Psalm reminds me to use my head and decide what I should or shouldn't be doing.   There was a time when gossip just popped out of my mouth.  Recently I actually thought, "That would be gossip. Be quiet."  It was so refreshing and guilt-free.  Even better than a diet soda.

3 I refuse to take a second look

at corrupting people and degrading things.

I reject made-in-Canaan gods,

stay clear of contamination. 

4 The crooked in heart keep their distance;

I refuse to shake hands with those who plan evil. 

5 I put a gag on the gossip

who bad-mouths his neighbor;

I can't stand

arrogance. 

"Salt of the earth people" reminds me of my best friend in High School.  Her name was, "Monty."  She lived in a small town, in a modest house.  She was so pretty- striking green eyes and dark hair.  I was a little jealous of her, and found out later she was of me.  We had all sorts of fun together.  She didn't have time for trouble.  There were horses, motorcycles, cooking, boys, all sorts of things to do.  She was always honest with me.  And I appreciated that.  

One day, she said, "I can't tell if you're really brave or stupid."  When I first learned to drive I had a serious issue with the gas pedal...  But I still smile at those words and sometimes ask myself if I'm being brave or stupid.  She's the type of person I'd want to work with.  Honest, hard-working, with strong values. You can imagine my happiness when I met Victoria a few years ago.  She walked up and told me, "You smell like an old lady."  I laughed and knew I had another honest friend for life.  It's good to be honest.  We're all doing our best, but a Psalm like this makes me want to do better.    

6 But I have my eye on salt-of-the-earth people — 

they're the ones I want working with me;

Men and women on the straight and narrow — 

these are the ones I want at my side. 

7 But no one who traffics in lies

gets a job with me; I have no patience with liars.

I've rounded up all the wicked like cattle

and herded them right out of the country. 

8 I purged God's city

of all who make a business of evil.
THE MESSAGE