Not Relying on Myself

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 19. Here is what I learned.

Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then shall I be blameless, and I shall be innocent and clear of great transgression. Psalm 19:13 (AMP)

Keep me safe, also, from willful sins; don't let them rule over me. Then I shall be perfect and free from the evil of sin. Psalm 19:13 (GNT)

Keep me [Restrain your servant] from ·the sins of pride [proud thoughts]; don’t let them ·rule [dominate] me. Then I can be pure and innocent of the greatest of sins. Psalm 19:13 (EXB)

Keep back thy servant also - Restrain thy servant; or, do not suffer him to commit those sins.

From presumptuous sins - The word used here is manifestly designed to stand in some respects in contrast with the secret faults mentioned in the previous verse. The word - זד zêd - means properly that which is boiling, swelling, inflated; then proud, arrogant; with the accessory notion of shameless wickedness or impiety. Gesenius, Lexicon. The word is rendered proud in Psalm 86:14; Psalm 119:21, Psalm 119:51, Psalm 119:69, Psalm 119:78, Psalm 119:85,Psalm 119:122; Proverbs 21:24; Isaiah 13:11; Jeremiah 43:2; Malachi 3:15; Malachi 4:1.

It does not occur elsewhere. The prevailing thought is that of pride, and the reference is particularly to sins which proceed from self-confidence; from reliance on one's own strength. The word does not mean open sins, or flagrant sins, so much as those which spring from self-reliance or pride. The prayer is substantially that he might have a proper distrust of himself, and might not be left by an improper reliance on his own power to the commission of sin. This also is said in view of the extent and spirituality of the law of God - expressing the earnest desire of the author of the psalm that he might not be left to violate a law so pure and holy. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Sins which proceed from self-confidence. “I can do it myself, my way” comes to mind! 

I heard a message this morning on 1 Samuel 5. The Philistines took the ark of God from the Israelites and place it in the temple of their god, Dagon. The Philistines thought that since they had the ark of the God of the Israelites, the Philistines now would be blessed and able to win wars. However, the Philistines did not respect God, nor did they obey what He said. Therefore instead of blessings, they were cursed with tumors and mice. The Philistines wanted the blessings of God without obedience and respect for who God is. 

To create a positive day, I need to pray, Psalm 19:13, and make sure that I’m not relying on myself, rather I am respecting and obeying God.

Abundant Strength

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 28. Here is what I learned.

The Lord is powerful; he ·gives victory [is a saving refuge] to his ·chosen one [anointed]. Psalm 28:8 (EXB)

The Lord is the strength of his people and a fortress for the victory of his Messiah. Psalm 28:8 (GW)

The Lord is their [unyielding] Strength, and He is the Stronghold of salvation to [me] His anointed. Psalm 28:8 (AMP)

Strength: boldness, loud, might, power, strength, strong.

The Lord is their strength - Margin, "his strength." The Hebrew is, "their strength," or "strength to them." The allusion is to the people of God. The course of thought seems to be, that the psalmist, having derived in his own case assistance from God, or having found God a strength to him, his mind turns from this fact to the general idea that God was the strength of "all" who were in similar circumstances; or that all His people might confide in Him as he had done. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

God not only give strength... He Himself is the strength. The very power of God is available and graciously given to each of us. 

So, if the strength of God... God Himself is available to me, why do I try to “go it alone” and “do it on my own power”? 

The Lord is the strength, and He knows exactly how much power I’ll need to get through the day. He knows if I need physical strength, emotional strength, spiritual strength... doesn’t matter God is the very strength I need. 

To create a positive day, I only need to rely on God’s abundant strength.

Eleemosynary

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 57. Here is what I learned.

He sends help from heaven and ·saves me [gives me victory]. He ·punishes [reproaches; scorns] those who ·chase [trample on; hound; snap at] me. ·Selah [Interlude] God sends me his ·love [loyalty] and ·truth [faithfulness]. Psalm 57:3 (EXB)

He will send from heaven and save me from the slanders and reproaches of him who would trample me down or swallow me up, and He will put him to shame. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! God will send forth His mercy and loving-kindness and His truth and faithfulness. Psalm 57:3 (AMP)

Kind:  generous, good; Synonyms: affectionate, all heart, beneficent, benevolent, big, bounteous, charitable, compassionate, considerate, cordial, courteous, eleemosynary, friendly, gentle, good-hearted, gracious, heart in right place, kindhearted, kindly, lenient, loving, mild, neighborly, obliging, philanthropic, propitious, soft touch, softhearted, sympathetic, tenderhearted, thoughtful, tolerant, understanding.

Eleemosynary. This is a new word for me. 

Eleemosynary [el-uh-mos-uh-ner-ee, -moz-, el-ee-uh-] adjective

1. of or pertaining to alms, charity, or charitable donations; charitable.

2. derived from or provided by charity.

3. dependent on or supported by charity.

Eleemosynary. Dependent on or supported by charity.... I think that’s a good way to describe my relationship with God.  I am dependent upon God for His love and mercy. There is nothing I can do to deserve it. There is no way to buy it. God in is grace, simply gives it to me. 

Eleemosynary. Dependent..... I am dependent upon God’s loving-kindness, His mercy. God freely gives His loving-kindness, mercy, grace to me, do I accept it? And being dependent upon God should have an impact in my life. Do I “make it my own” thus, allowing it to change my attitude, actions, and speech?

The Lord has told you, ·human [O man], what is good; he has told you what ·he wants [the Lord requires] from you: to do what is ·right to other people [just], love ·being kind to others [mercy; lovingkindness], and ·live humbly, obeying [walk humbly with] your God. Micah 6:8 (EXB)

Eleemosynary should translate into doing what God wants me to do—obeying, walking humbly with God.

To create a positive day, I need to remember “eleemosynary”—dependent upon the charity of God’s loving-kindness and mercy, and act accordingly.