This verse goes on to say “harden not your heart, as in the day of provocation, as the day of temptation in the wilderness.” For in order to hear the voice of the LORD there has to be an open pliable heart. A heart that is willing to be in a state of possible unknowing for a time symbolized by the wilderness. Each day we have opportunity to reside in a heart state that can be characterized by attitudes of thankfulness, appreciation, patience and PRAISE (TAPP). As we do it gives us a greater opportunity to hear what is required of us in every given moment. Here we can come out of the wilderness and into the state of harmonized expression with the LORD.
THY WORD IS VERY PURE: THEREFORE THY SERVANT LOVETH IT.
The word of the Lord is very pure. In order to know this our hearts must be untroubled. In order to have an untroubled heart it needs to be oriented in the eternal light of love constantly being emitted by our Lord and King. How we orient our hearts comes from mentally choosing the attitudes of thankfulness, appreciation, patience and praise. As we treasure these attitudes we can receive the pure word of the Lord that invigorates and gives perspective. With perspective we can see our temporal affairs in the light of the eternal fretting not letting time reveal all things in the living of life now.
Remember Your Birthright!
As there is Diamond Jubilee celebration for the Queen of England there is to be a celebration not only for her nobility but for our nobility. The verses in the Psalms are a reminder that we all come from noble birth and that the richness of spirit is ours to know. The qualities of thankfulness and appreciation that permeate the verses are fundamental elements to bring us a sense of peace, comfort and perspective. Here is the place to live whether we live in a palace or in suburban America or wherever.
WE ARE NEVER BEREFT
The verses of the psalms as well as other verses in the Bible give us all touchstones for our hearts and minds to be given the spiritual food that is necessary for invigoration and wisdom. I have acknowledged in my life that when things seem very tough the words that come across my mind are “turn to the things of God.” Turning to read a verse in the psalms is a way of turning to the things of God. We are never left bereft. The provision for what we need to come back to a place of peace and perspective is always at hand. It is said that there are more bibles circulating in the world than any other book. Know that you are never bereft and turning to the things of God in tough times and in quieter times is essential. Let there be some time in each day spent on cultivating our connection and communion with the things of God. Here we can know a life that gives us a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the life that we do have.