Reading, Believing, and Living

   Why are verses in The Psalms so appealing to most people? Indeed, why do I like to read them as the first part of my meditation in the early morning?

   Is it because they are so positive a lot of the time? The words flow in a rhythm of worship and praise, and it feels good just to read and take them in. They bring comfort and relieve suffering and grief.

   But is this all they do? Can there be more that I sometimes tend to gloss over, even in the most uplifting of this part of God's Word?

   The Psalm reading for today comes from Psalms 16 and contains these words:

"Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge"

"You are my Lord"

"I have no good apart from you"

"The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup"

"I bless the Lord who gives me counsel"

"I have set the Lord always before me"

"Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices"

"You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore"

   Even as I see the truth in these words for that early writer, I wonder if my life shows them to others. Do I live out what I read or just  mentally give a nod to them?

   It is so easy for me to read and assent, then go out and live the rest of my day without thinking of them or knowing that they are true for me, and as I get to the end of my day, realize that they have made no difference in my life at all, at least not in the way that I live in front of others.

   So, God, help me not only to read these words but remember them throughout this day and live them out. Help me to have a smile on my face and an attitude that shows that I really believe them. Help me not only to be Your hands and feet in my community, but to have Your mind and heart as well.