A Preview Of Normal Christianity Found In The Psalms

By Carolyn Stewart


Each book of the bible has a unique approach to Christian living. The Psalms thus presents a unique proposal on living like a Christian. Normal Christianity found in the psalms can be viewed from different angles based on the teachings of different chapters. This normal life involves gratitude, humility, praise, following the law and many other ways of living a sanctified 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.

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.

Chapter 121 begins with a cry and ends with exaltation of God. David must have been down and almost out to inquire about the source of his strength. He then proclaims that it comes from the creator of heaven and earth, who never sleeps or abandons his creation. This Lord preserves the lives of people he has created and protects them from trouble. His protection according to David is both day and night.

Christians may feel lost or losing faith in their existence. Chapter 42 perfectly captures this feeling. It is a feeling of needing God and desiring to be with him in heaven. This feeling is best exemplified by a deer panting for cool waters. The psalmist even wishes the old days when he led worshipers to the temple would return. This is a psalm of cry during desperation.

The evil doers sometimes seem to prosper while the righteous struggle despite their adherence to the law. This is what chapter 37 captures. It calls upon the righteous not to envy the exploits of the wicked because it fades as fast as it is acquired, just like the burning grass fire. For the righteous, the earth is their inheritance.

Sometimes Christians feel as though they can hide from God only for Him to appear at their perceived secret place. This is the message of chapter 139 where the psalmist says that the Lord has searched him and knows who he is. He knows when he is going in and when he is going out. It is surrender that no matter how far one wants to run from God, He knows everything.

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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