It occurred to me this morning as I read one of David’s psalms, that it would be very similar to someone finding our personal journal and reading it.
The concept of keeping a diary is embedded in many cultures. What an amazing treasure are the endearing words of Anne Frank! This image of a young girl [they seem more prone to diary-keeping than boys] confiding her deepest thoughts and observations into a diary and then keeping it hidden for fear of discovery is commonplace.
But many have practiced this art form through the centuries, and continue to do so to this day.
There is something that resides within many of us that yearns for expression. To think the thoughts or hold the moments in our memories is not enough. There is a compulsion to write it down, perhaps for future reflection or just for memory’s sake.
Certainly David never dreamed that people would be reading his deepest thoughts and prayers three thousand years later!!!!
Clearly, some of his writings came from younger years when his occupation was guarding his father’s sheep. We also know that he was skilled to play various stringed instruments, so it isn’t difficult to imagine him playing and singing his songs for an audience of One! It’s likely that Psalms 1 and 23 were created during this early period.
Take a minute to think about the dynamic impact that Psalm 23 has had on multiple millions of readers over the centuries. Its words offer us instruction, assurance, comfort and hope! Many have committed it to memory because of its impact on their lives!
Later – as a young man – David was recommended to King Saul as a source of peaceful reflection to minister to his episodes of depression and rage. This demonstration of music therapy clearly had an extremely positive impact on Saul – so much so that he kept David close as an available resource!
Many have declared the benefits of having these many psalms of David. In these writings, he expressed a massive variety of emotions before God. He praises, honors, expresses joy, celebrates and worships. However, we also find him:
- Crying out for help
- Raging against his enemies
- Manifesting despair
- Emoting anger
- Mourning his sinfulness
- Creatively expressing his devotion to God
- Calling down God’s justice on those who do evil
So many have found comfort and courage in David’s psalms! The Holy Spirit conveniently located them in the very middle of our Bibles so that if we open it halfway, we are likely to be in the middle of the psalms!
This is the book from which pastors and liturgists draw most of their ‘Calls to Worship’ and ‘Responsive Readings’.
We admire David’s wisdom in expressing himself so openly and candidly throughout his life! He has given us a literary treasure of untold wealth!
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Have you discovered the value of writing or recording your thoughts, concerns, joys, sorrows, prayers and feelings?
Word processing and storage systems have taken this practice to new levels. Although some may still utilize books and journals for these purposes, many have opted for more contemporary methods.
I recently was privileged to teach – for a series of weeks – a women’s Bible study group. In one of the lessons, I shared a very personal practice that I have adapted over the years.
I frequently type out prayers in the
early morning hours of my day. These are VERY PRIVATE prayers that are only
between me and God! I confess my sins and call on Him for help in reforming me.
I spare no details. It’s raw. I am painfully open and honest with Him.
Remarkably, it’s a healing process for me. It helps me to remember how corrupt and
dependent on His grace I am!
----------------------------- And when my devotional time is over, I delete the document!
You see, I’m not much different from the young
girl who hides her diary so that no one will discover her secret thoughts and
desires.
I am not proud of the ways that I fail my Savior. I had such high spiritual expectations as a young man entering the ministry. Back in that day, we held our ministers in high esteem. I was one of the youngest pastors in the Pittsburgh Conference. I tried to be fully supportive. I attended all the prescribed conference meetings. At one of those meetings, an older, mature pastor gave a presentation on the topic of ‘eradication’. It was a belief that existed in Free Methodism [and other ‘holiness’ groups] that taught that there were two works of grace for the believer.
The first work of grace was salvation. This was accepting Christ as our Savior!
The second work of grace was called sanctification. [Some would later define this in charismatic terms as being a result of being filled with the Holy Spirit.] At the time of this teaching, we were taught that after one walked with God for a period of time, He simply eradicates [deletes] our sinful nature.
I recall a very popular evangelist who held a revival in my home church. While preaching on this theme, he declared publicly that he had not sinned in over ten years! I was a young teen at this time and remember thinking that he was teaching something untrue. I felt the same way as a young pastor sitting under the tutelage of one of our senior leaders.
You see, my experience parallels that of David’s. I cleanse myself daily, yet find it difficult to remain clean all day. Just as I wash my hands before supper, I find that I must repeatedly wash my mind and soul before God!
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Well, this has gone on long enough. Let me close with an observation that I’ve referenced before. It comes from the life of the great Apostle Paul.
As a younger leader
trying to establish himself as an apostle of equal standing with Peter James,
John and the others, Paul repeatedly identified himself in letter after letter
as an apostle. He was clearly attempting to gain acceptance and authority by
repeating this claim. He was indirectly emphasizing the fact that he was God’s choice as
the twelfth apostle!
“I, Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ…” [Romans 1:1, I Corinthians 1:1, II Corinthians 1:1, Galatians 1:1, Ephesians 1:1, Philippians 1:1, Colossians 1:1, I Thessalonians 2:6, I Timothy 1:1, II Timothy 1:1, Titus 1:1]
However, as Paul
matured in his faith and as a leader, his proclamation exhibited a tone of
significant humility:
I Corinthians 15:9
For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
Toward the end of his life, Paul focused on maturing
younger leaders in the realization that Christ may not return during his
lifetime. In writing to his young protégé, Timothy, he made a remarkable
confession
I Timothy 2:15
Here is a trustworthy saying
that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners
– of whom I am the worst.”:
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