My wife and I are reading through the Psalms in our evening reading and occasionally a nugget of the Psalms jumps out of the page. Don’t you love it when, after years of reading the “Old Book” passages become alive, reinforcing old teachings or simply warming your heart.
This is the book of Psalms, and it is rich.
I pray I can communicate a portion of the blessing we receive from this wonderful book.
I had a teacher who once told me that I should never identify as the hero as I read a Bible passage. Look for the bad guy and identify with him.
It made sense since we all have a streak of evil in us, and that is the corrupting influence we fight against each day. One of the strengths of this evil in us, is the power it receives by going unnoticed, ignored or downplayed. It loves to hide behind a self righteous attitude of judgement and high estimation of self. Of course, I love it when I feel like I am righteous, feel the glory of my self, and not of the goodness of God.
It is truly a fine line to walk, understanding my own weakness, and the strength of the Lord, my own corruption and the life of a resurrected Savior, my own sin and the righteousness of God, my own ignorance and the wisdom He can provide.
When we read the following verse, I automatically did not associate with the author. I immediately considered Jesus, reading this passage, and identifying with the author, only in His situation, it was an absolute reflection of His condition.
Psalm 4:2
O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?
How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah
His honor was turned to shame on that fateful day. Every day up to that day, He suffered indignities and slights, doubting and mocking, shame heaped on Him out of jealousy and hatred.
But alas, I may have mis-spoke.
On the cross, His glory shone out, in radiance, for us that have seen the truth.
Who would give like He did? Who would accept the shame in order to lift a weak, dirty soul out of the pit? Who would bear under the vain words of liars and cheats, in order to give them truth and grace?
No – He was most glorious on the cross, for those who would ponder the extremes He suffered under, and to the purposes He sought to achieve. He satisfied His Father, loved His people and turned everything upside down.
Praise Him for His most wonderful life!
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