Psalms of Honesty and Truth
How are our lives governed? What “foot” do we lead with, the one that sometimes gets stuck in our mouth, saying all the wrong things in situations that, instead, desperately need words of hope? Are we “yeah, but-ters? Don’t tell me you don’t know what a “yeah, but” is because ALL of us have sinned on this one. Someone offers positive words of hope, and we dash hope and derail the comment with, “Yeah, but…what if this or that happens?” “Yeah, but, I can’t help you because of this ailment I have.” “Yeah, but, there aren’t enough funds or people resources to pull that off because…” and the “yeah, buts” can continue on for hours, days, weeks and months until a life, a project, a challenge is killed.
That’s why I love reading this passage this morning! It is the book of Hallelujahs! It is songs of praise to the God who is always right beside us, the One and Only who is there when we call! There is no reason to “yeah, but” the following Psalm that proclaims the character and awesome nature of our God! My favorite verses in this song are
“I’ll write the book on Hallelujahs;
on the corner of Main and First
I’ll hold a street meeting;
I’ll be the song leader; we’ll fill the air
with salvation songs.”
Instead of leading out with the foot of despair that sucks life from people, lead with Christ who taught us how to live with hope, encouraging others, always pointing them to Jesus! No “yeah, buts” here!
Psalm 9, The Message
A David Psalm
9 1-2 I’m thanking you, God, from a full heart,
I’m writing the book on your wonders.
I’m whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy;
I’m singing your song, High God.
3-4 The day my enemies turned tail and ran,
they stumbled on you and fell on their faces.
You took over and set everything right;
when I needed you, you were there, taking charge.
5-6 You blow the whistle on godless nations;
you throw dirty players out of the game,
wipe their names right off the roster.
Enemies disappear from the sidelines,
their reputation trashed,
their names erased from the halls of fame.
7-8 God holds the high center,
he sees and sets the world’s mess right.
He decides what is right for us earthlings,
gives people their just deserts.
9-10 God’s a safe-house for the battered,
a sanctuary during bad times.
The moment you arrive, you relax;
you’re never sorry you knocked.
11-12 Sing your songs to Zion-dwelling God,
tell his stories to everyone you meet:
How he tracks down killers
yet keeps his eye on us,
registers every whimper and moan.
13-14 Be kind to me, God;
I’ve been kicked around long enough.
Once you’ve pulled me back
from the gates of death,
I’ll write the book on Hallelujahs;
on the corner of Main and First
I’ll hold a street meeting;
I’ll be the song leader; we’ll fill the air
with salvation songs.
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15-16 They’re trapped, those godless countries,
in the very snares they set,
Their feet all tangled
in the net they spread.
They have no excuse;
the way God works is well-known.
The cunning machinery made by the wicked
has maimed their own hands.
17-20 The wicked bought a one-way
ticket to hell.
No longer will the poor be nameless—
no more humiliation for the humble.
Up, God! Aren’t you fed up with their empty strutting?
Expose these grand pretensions!
Shake them up, God!
Show them how silly they look.
What do we learn and want to think about?
–When we need God, He is there. Always. He is in charge. He is God and we are not.
–Begin the day praising God and all our problems, concerns and troubling circumstances are put into a new perspective.
–Never say, “yeah, but” to God!
–Let God have His way in us.
–The way God works is famous and magnificent!
–You will never be sorry for entering “Yahweh’s safe house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. The moment you arrive, you relax; you’re never sorry you knocked.”
Count your blessings…no, really! Think of it this way, what if we began counting and taking note of all the problems we DON’T have? That, in itself, are blessings beyond our wildest dreams and will shock us back into God’s praise!
All this, in Jesus Name, Amen. I believe. No “yeah, buts” here, Lord.
