Psalm Study

A Personal Development Exercise

Submitted to Dr. Norm Wakefield

Phoenix Seminary

Scottsdale, Arizona

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for

Living In God's Presence

by

Troy A. Griffitts

27-October-2004

The Lord protects me, my reputation, and my spirit (Psalm 3:3). So often much of our time and energy is spent protecting our physical life, our reputation, and our emotions, and of those we love. We worry about our rights and privileges and are concerned that no one tramples on them. Personally, I find myself daily wasting the bulk of my time with concern for things of this world. This is in vein, as our Lord promises to protect us, and ever more greatly then we could ever dream. I truly wish for a heart that trusts His with every aspect of myself and those I love. If we rest in Him, not only will He do a much better job, we will also be free of the greatest concerns of this life. Peace and hope in Him will manifest and we will be so much more affective for the purposes which He has prepared for us on this earth.

The Lord allows the righteous to sin and lets the consequences of sin to manifest, to a degree (Psalm 6:1-4). For me, sinning is a common occurrence. I wish it wasn't. I praise God that He constantly reminds me of from what He's delivered me. As He lovingly gives me glimpses through the consequences of my sins, He reminds me of the seriousness and encourages me in purity for the future. I can truly appreciate His ways because I can see even a glimpse of life without His truth. Thanks be to God for providing these ever so important reminders to a mind so quick to forget His advantage.

The Lord honours the righteous and hates the wicked (Psalm 11:5). In this life, so often we think the wicked go unpunished and the righteous are persecuted by their folly. We burn inside to see justice done-- righteous judgment in the world. While at the same time daily begging for forgiveness for our follies to those we love, including God Himself. I hypocritically struggle with accepting God's justice. When we truly understand God's Character with respect to His economy-- that He will punish the unrepentant wicked-- we can truly be free from grudges and a vengeful heart. The Lord promises to forgive those whose hearts are honestly repentant, and to execute judgment on them that never turn from their sins. Vengeance is His, and we can let go of our drive for it, knowing that He rightly knows the hearts of men and judges with a righteous judgment.

The Lord's ways and paths are truth! The Lord solely provides my salvation (Psalm 25:4-5)! I thank God that He is a true God. He doesn't ask us to believe against the truths that we see every day. God's ways are proved over and over throughout our lives. He shows Himself to be true! He is reasonable and logical, though unfathomable. I may not understand the 'why' behind His Great Love for me and the sacrifice He made in my place, but nothing could be more extreme than a God Who has everything to give it up and be crucified, all for such a sinner as me. Such kindness to lead my heart to repentance. And His proven truth assures me of His true salvation for all eternity.

The Lord is pleased with those who fear Him and hope in His Mercy (Psalm 147:11)! This is an area I find myself accepting with difficulty. How can a Holy God Who has done so much for me still continue to accept me when I fail Him over and over again? My heart so often doubts how quick He is to forgive me. Oh praise God that He is forever merciful! His mercies endure forever! How often we fail Him. How wayward our hearts, but He does not despise those who basely come to Him in meekness and sorrow! What a forgiving God we have Who would encourage us to hope in His Mercy!

2004-10-27T15:52:22