Sunday, July 14, 2013 - 12:45 am

Tonight I read through Psalms 36-40, and on my mind is the series of emotions and thoughts, going from a place of sin to a place of righteousness, and the hope that God brings as He conducts us through that journey. The journey begins in Psalm 38, and is expressed well in these words: "My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear." (v.4) "I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning." (v.6) "My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes." (v.10) "I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin." (v.18) "O Lord, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God." It certainly is a rough place to be, and I never have anyone else to blame when I find myself there, but it's necessary to bring about restoration, healing and righteousness. Isaiah 57:14-21 talks about it, and here are a few excerpts: " ...'I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. I will not accuse forever, nor will I always be angry..' " (vs. 15-16) " 'I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him,' " (v.18) " 'Peace, peace, to those far and near,' says the Lord, 'And I will heal them.' " (v.19) Humbling and lowering myself may not feel very good, but if I want a life that's built on God and not on pride, then He has to be the one to lift me up. When He has done that, the natural response should be one of thankfulness, and praise to God, as seen in Psalm 40: "I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord." (vs.1-3) "I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly." (v.10) I feel like right now I'm in that place of giving thanks and looking forward, and so I appreciate the words of wisdom in Psalm 37:4-6, "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. / Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: / He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun."