Give ear to my words ~ Psalm 5

This Morning Erica at Butterfly Kisses put her link up before her post so those of us up earlier than she is could link up. Isn't that so sweet and thoughtful??

I may beat her post but then again, I may not. It doesn't matter, really, I just wanted to thank her for thinking of us.

I would LOVE to have her beautiful banner (please go to her site and check it out) but I can't right-click on her page to copy it. So I'll just have to muddle along without it. :D

We're doing Psalm 5 today. I wish I knew how to post sound on here because I know a song that is actually the first three verses of this Psalm. Sometimes I sing it to help myself begin a prayer; to get my heart into the right place and calm my soul.

Give ear to my words, Oh Lord!
Consider my meditation.
Hearken unto the voice of my cry, My King and My God.
For unto Thee will I pray; my voice shalt Thou hear in the morning.
Oh Lord, in the morning will I direct my prayer
unto Thee and will look up!

Verse four said something special to me as well. I think I'll use it next time someone asks me that hard question about why God allows so many bad things to happen here on earth.
"You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil.."
He promises to stand by us when we are hurting; to hold us when we cry. But the plain fact of the matter is that this world IS evil. And He allows humans "free will" or the ability to choose evil. So bad things are going to happen. But God does NOT take pleasure in it. He hurts when we hurt.

In verses 5 - 10 the Psalmist seems to be speaking of his enemies; I can relate to verse 8 when he says "Lead me in Your righteousness because of my enemies - make Your way straight before me". Sometimes when I feel that someone has "wronged" me, the first reaction is to want to "get them back". But that is a lesson that my kids and I go over and over again and again. Two wrongs don't make a right. Just because someone does something to upset you DOES NOT mean you have the right to hurt them back. Often, if you just wait, you'll find that an apology quickly follows or that you were mistaken about what they said or did.
I know several people that live their lives in this vengeful way. To them, everything is justifiable. If your employer doesn't treat you like you feel you should be treated, you can steal from them. It's alright; you deserve it! If you feel that a certain law is "unfair", then it doesn't apply to you. If someone hits you, then you have the "right to defend yourself" and you can hit them back.
Maybe I was just raised differently, but I don't understand that kind of logic. I do my best to raise my kids to understand that this mindset is NOT the way God would have us live our lives. Not to mention the fact that if you choose this path, you will most likely end up in jail or worse.
And it's definitely NOT the way to "Win Friends And Influence People!"

The last two verses are a wonderful ending to today's passage:
11. But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

12. For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
I would never count myself as "righteous" by any stretch of the imagination, but I DO take refuge in Him. And I AM glad...and I DO sing for joy...He DOES protect me and He's blessed me over and over and over again.

Oh BOY, does He ever!

Which just goes to show you ~ if He will bless ME after all the horrible things I have done and rotten decisions I have made and the trouble I have gotten myself into, then He will surely take YOU into His arms! No matter what you have done or where you have been, you can take refuge in Him.
Sometimes when I feel like life is getting to me, I visualize; I close my eyes and picture myself as a child sitting on His lap with my arms around Him, laying my head on his chest. It feels so good to be held, to see Him smile down at me. I don't have to worry about anything; I'm just His kid and He's taking care of me.

Now close your eyes. Can you picture it, too? Come on up and sit here with me...His lap is big enough for two!