I love the Psalms!  I am fully convinced that the Lord allowed David's musings and reflections into the cannonization of scripture for people like me, who can relate to his heartfelt cries for help and comfort.  David was extremely passionate, and I have been rightfully accused of the same.  When I read how David reacts to his situations, I so often relate and feel great comfort in knowing that this "man after God's own heart" experienced feelings that I am experiencing.  Case in point, I was sitting at the doctors office this morning waiting way too long for the nurse to call my name.  I opened my Bible and began to read Psalm 143 and the words jumped out of the page and rested contentedly on my heart.  Most of you who are reading my posting know that I am without a job right now, and my heart's cry echoes what David wrote so many generations ago.   Here are a few highlights:

"I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.  I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.  Answer me quicly, O Lord!  My spirit fails!  Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit.  Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust.  Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul...teach me to do your will for you are my God!  Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!"

These sweet words comforted me as seek my Lord's counsel in my job search.  Truly His steadfast love has touched me in the mornings, especially this morning.  Praise the Lord for His faithfulness!

If there is one thing that has been consuming my mind more than anything these last few weeks, it has been the spiritual issue of self-examination.  2 Corinthians 13:5 exhorts believers to "Test yourselves {to see} if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you fail the test?"  The practice of self-examination seems to be lost in modern day evangelicalism.  The bottom line is this:  Our faith and love for Christ should produce such a deep rooted change in our hearts that we, as saints, can see holiness working out practically in our daily lives.  John Piper once said, and I cannot recite verbatim but I believe I can accurately convey his point, that the Christian life should not make sense to  the world and that we ought to test ourselves regularly and see if what we are doing does indeed make no sense to our pagan friends.  His comments effected me greatly as I reflected on my attitude, work ethic, temperment, goals and perspectives, etc...Did my daily life reflect something vastly different than those who do not know Christ?  It should, and sadly it often does not.  These verses and thoughts are sobering, but how greatly important to those of us who profess Christ.  Dearest friends, the battle we are fighting and the race we are running is not parallel to the worlds.  Our lives should reflect the glory of the Lord and if it does not, then we must ask ourselves, "Have I lost my first love, Jesus Christ?"  I encourage you, do not take these verses lightly.  Spend some time in examining your Christian walk and pray that your heart would embrace Christ so fully that the outpouring would be practical holiness, and that your pagan friends and family will wonder why you live life the way you do.  Consider Christ, treasure Christ, embrace Christ!