A Preview Of Normal Christianity Found In The Psalms

By Carolyn Stewart


The bible has the most amazing collection of life transforming books. Christians can learn something unique from each book about everyday. The book of psalms takes a poetic angle in its narration. The normal Christianity found in the psalms captures the triumphant moments, depressing ones, defeat and exaltation of God. It captures aspects like gratitude, humility, praise and obedience to the law, the basic elements of a Christian life.

The introduction is captivating with the declaration that blessed is he who follows the law of God other than keeping company of sinners. It is a call for Christians to regard the book as delivering the law. A Christian is called upon to medicate on these laws. Those who follow the law enjoy the rewards of prosperity while the evil doers perish.

One of the most popular chapters is 23. It is a prayer for surrender to the providence and confidence in the ability of God as a shepherd. The chapter captures the providence and protective power of God that allows a person to wine and dine as his enemies watch. Because of this goodness, such a person vows to live in the presence of 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 there anything that a Christian can do without God knowing? The omnipresent nature of God is captured in chapter 139 where David talks about finding no place to hide because God has searched his thoughts and actions and knows him perfectly. He knows him when he is coming and going. There is no way man can hide any act or thought from his creator.

A holistic life is a matter of reflections on His commands and nature of God. The book of psalms presents the instances of praise, exaltation, submission and desperation, all of which are instances one encounters in life. The psalmist is very poetic and takes a simplistic approach with great lessons to learn in order to get a fulfilling life.




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