Day 1 Summer Psalms' 1-5

Day 1 Psalm's 1-5:

In these first Psalms, the narrator, David speaks in first person to God. He seems very comfortable in his relationship with his creator when he asks and even commands God to help him. "Arise, O Lord!" David says, "Deliver me, O my God! David shouts with demands. "Answer me when I call, O God of my right!...Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer. He tells God to, "Give ear to my words, O Lord,; give heed to my groaning."

In Psalm's 1-5, David is concerned about the evil in others and the effect the evil has on him and people who who are trying to maintain their walk with the Lord. He is not afraid to warn people of their wickedness nor is he afraid to fight evil and to let others know of his beliefs. He is firm in his belief that God is with him, protecting him. He says, "...the Lord sustains me. I am not afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me."

David's conversation with God characterizes a relationship that we all can have with our maker. I would like to have an ounce of David's faith that when I cry out to God for help, without hesitation, I know he will answer me.

Concern over the wickedness in the world is not any different now than it was in David's time. However, there are verses of hope in these first Psalms. As long as we have absolute faith in the Lord, David says, "for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Thou dost break the teeth of the wicked," he adds, "Thou destroys those who speak lies; the Lord abhors bloodthirsty and deceitful men."

Dear Lord, enlighten me on how to counsel the wicked in my life. Keep me close to you so that I may never be exposed too long or too heavily to evil. I know I need you as my refuge. I tire easily, I'm weak, but with You nothing is impossible.

In conclusion, I know it's a late start for a "summer" commitment, but the Monday after the 4th of July weekend is just as good as any. This journey also appropriately begins on an anniversary day of which I'm grieving, so I'm very much in need of the psalms to help me through this heartbreaking loss. Through the psalms, I hope to find relief from the hurt that I'm told I'm not expected to feel. Through David's insightful words to the Lord in his Psalms, I hope to once again resurrect the joy that I know is God in my heart.