PSALMS 73-92

It is Sunday!  Overcast, rainy, but Sunday!  I'm so looking forward to being with God's people today.  It will be a great blessing!  I'm still reading in Psalms and I've over half way through.  Here are some thoughts I have to write about: 1) ALMOST.... UNTIL.  In Psalms 73, David says in verse two:  "But as for me, my feet were ALMOST gone; my steps had well nigh slipped."  The reason is spelled out in verse three:  "For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked."  Then then next several verses seem to describe how the wicked and the rich just do as they please and seem to get away with anything and everything.  It seems they have no consequences.  He even says in verse 12, "Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches."  This is all he saw of the wicked and ungodly is that they kept on prospering.  He even says in verse 13:  "Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency"  vs. 14 "For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning."  So David.... your feet had ALMOST slipped because you are looking at the ungodly prosper and are envious.  You are even wondering have you kept a right heart in vain.  But this only took place UNTIL you went to God's House!  Verse 17 says:  "UNTIL I went into the sanctuary of God, then understood I their end."  Yes!  Now everything looks different!  vs. 18 "Surely thou didst set them in slippery places:  thou castedst them down into destruction."  Now David is sorry he felt as he once did.  Verse 22- "So foolish was I, and ignorant:"  vs. 24 "Thous shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory."  and finally... David concludes the chapter with vs. 28 :  "But it is good for me to draw near to God:"  Don't let ALMOST trip you up UNTIL you have gotten to Church! 2) PREPARED, BUT PASESS- In Psalms 78:9, we see that Ephraim was prepared for battle, but passed the opportunity.... they turned back in the day of battle.  God prepares us for the battle for souls.... to teach.... to preach.... to sing... to serve.... to witness.... and yet, how many times have we "turned back in the day of battle"?  God has prepared us for a purpose.... don't let these opportunities pass us by because we pass on them.  Fight the battles God prepares you for! 3) SHINE FORTH- Psalms 80:1 "Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth."  David is asking God to "shine forth".  Now, in verses 3, 7, and 19, we see that it says:  "... cause thy face to shine:  and we shall be saved."  When David is asking God to shine forth and to cause His face to shine, David is simply saying:  "Smile on me LORD!"  Yes, God's face shines when He smiles upon us.  Oh Dear LORD, please cause Your face to shine upon us today!  and everyday! Well, these are a few thoughts for the day.  Have a blessed Sunday today!  Pastor Mike Mutchler