Listen

When I'm feeling down or in a funk I turn to the Psalms. Reading a Psalm of praise always puts my problems in perspective. But I don't simply read the Psalm, I study it, I write it out, and mark it up.

Life has been hectic and hard for some time now. So a few days ago I knew it was time to turn to the Psalms. I chose Psalm 101. This Psalm was written by David just as he was about to become king over Israel. The Psalm contains words of praise and contrasts the righteous and unrighteous. It warns the wicked while listing the benefits of righteous living.

As I studied I made a list of everything David says he will do and everything God will do. While reading I put myself in David's place, so I titled my list, "What I will do" Here are the things in my list:

sing of God's steadfast lovingkindness

sing of God's justice

sing praises to God

behave wisely

follow the way of integrity

walk in my house in integrity with a blameless heart

set no worthless/wicked thing before my eyes

hate the practice of those who fall away

depart from having a perverse heart

not tolerate evil

silence those who gossip

not tolerate a haughty look or a proud, arrogant heart

keep eyes on faithful ones

minister/serve with those who walk blamelessly

not dwell with those who practice deceit

not remain in the presence of those who tell lies/half-truths

destroy the wicked

cut off all who do evil

The interesting thing came when I listed what God does according to this Psalm. Unlike many of his others Psalms David did not mention one thing God does. The very first Psalm says:

"For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction." Psalm 1:6

Psalm 23 lists several things God will do: lead beside still waters, refresh my soul, guide me along the right path's...

Psalm 71 says God will: restore my life again, increase my honor, comfort me.

But Psalm 101 doesn't speak of God's actions at all. Yet David says he will sing praises to God. This tells me that sometimes God simply wants to LISTEN to our songs of praise, LISTEN to our prayers, LISTEN as we read His word. Sometimes God just wants to LISTEN to His children.

Psalm 5:3 says:

"In the morning, Lord, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my request before You and wait expectantly."

When was the last time God heard your voice?

Sometimes God just wants to LISTEN to His children.