2 May my vindication come from you;
may your eyes see what is right.

3 Though you probe my heart and examine me at night,
though you test me, you will find nothing;
I have resolved that my mouth will not sin.

4 As for the deeds of men—
by the word of your lips
I have kept myself
from the ways of the violent.

5 My steps have held to your paths;
my feet have not slipped.

6 I call on you, O God, for you will answer me;
give ear to me and hear my prayer.

7 Show the wonder of your great love,
you who save by your right hand
those who take refuge in you from their foes.

8 Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings

9 from the wicked who assail me,
from my mortal enemies who surround me.

10 They close up their callous hearts,
and their mouths speak with arrogance.

11 They have tracked me down, they now surround me,
with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.

12 They are like a lion hungry for prey,
like a great lion crouching in cover.

13 Rise up, O LORD, confront them, bring them down;
rescue me from the wicked by your sword.

14 O LORD, by your hand save me from such men,
from men of this world whose reward is in this life.
You still the hunger of those you cherish;
their sons have plenty,
and they store up wealth for their children.

15 And I—in righteousness I will see your face;
when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.

***

There's a term commonly used in the classroom, which sometimes is used negatively in envy:
Now, being a pet owner (I have 3 hamsters, 2 adult and 1 baby), I appreciate the use of the word "pet", as it's not easy being an owner. You have to change the litter, provide food and water, play with it, make special arrangements when it is sick/pregnant etc.

Beyond the initial "oh so cute!!!" factor, it's a lifespan (the hamster's) commitment to show love, care and responsibility for it.

In the same way, as King David cried out in today's psalm, "show the wonder of Your great love", "Keep me as the apple of Your eye, hide me in the shadow of Your wings", it's a cry to our Owner and Maker
"God, favour me!!!"

Or in classroom terms,
"God, I want to be your pet!!!"

Now, of course, from a teacher's viewpoint, no teacher would anyhow choose their "pet" or for that matter, anyhow choose the class chairperson or prefect.

The "candidate's resume" must be thoroughly examined.

I give you a illustration from my secondary school days, how I ended up as a prefect for 4 years.
It was on the first day of school, when nobody knows anyone in the class. During the very first period, my form teacher (whom I know now is a very godly lady who served as a missionary before), asked a very abrupt question after introducing herself.

"After the holidays, I can see that all the desks are very dirty and dusty. Would someone volunteer to take this cloth and wipe it for everyone?"

5 minutes of silence. Everyone stared at each other. Everyone was either too timid to step out of their seats, or unwilling to make himself look foolish.

So sheepishly, I raised my hand, went up to take the cloth and wiped.

After wiping, she announced
"Well done, I believe we have our class prefect. Because he was shown himself to be willing to serve us."

She had, very wisely, tested our hearts for the attitude of servanthood. Hence, out of nowhere, I was selected as a prefect and continued on throughout my secondary school days.

"Though you probe my heart and examine me at night,
though you test me, you will find nothing;
I have resolved that my mouth will not sin."

How do we find favour with God?
When we resolved to do what is right in God's sight, in every situation and trial.

Labels: Journey Through Psalms

2 May my vindication come from you;
may your eyes see what is right.

3 Though you probe my heart and examine me at night,
though you test me, you will find nothing;
I have resolved that my mouth will not sin.

4 As for the deeds of men—
by the word of your lips
I have kept myself
from the ways of the violent.

5 My steps have held to your paths;
my feet have not slipped.

6 I call on you, O God, for you will answer me;
give ear to me and hear my prayer.

7 Show the wonder of your great love,
you who save by your right hand
those who take refuge in you from their foes.

8 Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings

9 from the wicked who assail me,
from my mortal enemies who surround me.

10 They close up their callous hearts,
and their mouths speak with arrogance.

11 They have tracked me down, they now surround me,
with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.

12 They are like a lion hungry for prey,
like a great lion crouching in cover.

13 Rise up, O LORD, confront them, bring them down;
rescue me from the wicked by your sword.

14 O LORD, by your hand save me from such men,
from men of this world whose reward is in this life.
You still the hunger of those you cherish;
their sons have plenty,
and they store up wealth for their children.

15 And I—in righteousness I will see your face;
when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.

***

There's a term commonly used in the classroom, which sometimes is used negatively in envy:
Now, being a pet owner (I have 3 hamsters, 2 adult and 1 baby), I appreciate the use of the word "pet", as it's not easy being an owner. You have to change the litter, provide food and water, play with it, make special arrangements when it is sick/pregnant etc.

Beyond the initial "oh so cute!!!" factor, it's a lifespan (the hamster's) commitment to show love, care and responsibility for it.

In the same way, as King David cried out in today's psalm, "show the wonder of Your great love", "Keep me as the apple of Your eye, hide me in the shadow of Your wings", it's a cry to our Owner and Maker
"God, favour me!!!"

Or in classroom terms,
"God, I want to be your pet!!!"

Now, of course, from a teacher's viewpoint, no teacher would anyhow choose their "pet" or for that matter, anyhow choose the class chairperson or prefect.

The "candidate's resume" must be thoroughly examined.

I give you a illustration from my secondary school days, how I ended up as a prefect for 4 years.
It was on the first day of school, when nobody knows anyone in the class. During the very first period, my form teacher (whom I know now is a very godly lady who served as a missionary before), asked a very abrupt question after introducing herself.

"After the holidays, I can see that all the desks are very dirty and dusty. Would someone volunteer to take this cloth and wipe it for everyone?"

5 minutes of silence. Everyone stared at each other. Everyone was either too timid to step out of their seats, or unwilling to make himself look foolish.

So sheepishly, I raised my hand, went up to take the cloth and wiped.

After wiping, she announced
"Well done, I believe we have our class prefect. Because he was shown himself to be willing to serve us."

She had, very wisely, tested our hearts for the attitude of servanthood. Hence, out of nowhere, I was selected as a prefect and continued on throughout my secondary school days.

"Though you probe my heart and examine me at night,
though you test me, you will find nothing;
I have resolved that my mouth will not sin."

How do we find favour with God?
When we resolved to do what is right in God's sight, in every situation and trial.

Labels: Journey Through Psalms