Tuesday 7 February 2017

A Summary Of Normal Christianity Found In The Psalms

By Carolyn Stewart


There is something unique about each book of the bible and the areas it addresses in Christian living. The proposals in Psalms are unique yet reflect the normal life of a Christian. The normal Christianity found in the psalms takes a poetic angle but captures all challenges and triumphs of a normal human being. There are excellent reflections on humility, praise, gratitude, adherence to the law, etc until a person achieves a sanctified life.

The first chapter presents the best introduction to Christianity with an affirmation that following the law comes with its share of rewards. Blessed is he who follows the law and avoids the paths of the wicked. To follow that, you must constantly read and reflect on it. Prosperity is the reward you get but the wicked will perish.

Chapter 23 is on the lips of almost everyone. When David declared that the Lord was his shepherd, he was exalting His providence nature. God is portrayed as powerful as to allow you wine and dine on the table with enemies. Because of this goodness and providence, one will live with God forever.

David in chapter 121 cries to God but closes the cry with exaltation. This is a prayer for a person who is beaten by life and is wondering who will rescue him. At his lowest point, David recognizes that his help will only come from the creator of heaven and earth. In his words, this creator does not sleep or abandon his people. He watches over his creation by day and night, never allowing them to fall or strike their toes on a rock.

It is normal to lose faith in existence and desire to be with God. This is perfectly captured in chapter 42 where the desire to see God is equated to the thirst that drives a deer to cool waters. The psalm also speaks to people who were once close to God but now feel as though they have lost it. David reminisces the days he walked to the temple, leading the people of God.

Evil doers sometimes appear to thrive to the point of righteous people envying them. This is the scenario captured in Psalms 37. The chapter warns that the ways of evil doers lasts as short as grass fire. Their prosperity may appear glorious and as though it is unpunished, but it only lasts for a while. For the righteous, theirs is the inheritance of the earth.

Is it possible to hide from the all knowing omnipresent God? Chapter 139 reveals a God to whom man can hide nothing. This is a God who has searched the soul of man and knows his going in and coming out. The chapter is an exaltation of the power of God to see everywhere including the heart of human beings. No matter how far you hide, it is impossible to hide from God.

All the teachings and reflections a Christian would like to live a holistic life can be found in the Psalms. The book encompasses a cocktail of exaltation, praise, defiance, submission, etc. The message is put in such a simplistic and poetic tone that makes it easy to deceiver the lessons and thus live a fulfilling life.




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