Echoes From the Campfire

When you jump to conclusions, make sure you don’t land in a manure pile.”
              –Rod Collins  (Bitter’s Run)

    “Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?  Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.”
              –Psalm 15:1,3 (NLT)
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Back from a wonderful time at my daughter’s house and relaxing trip.  On Monday I have been looking at the Psalms and we should be at Psalm 7.  Remember, the Psalms are very good for inspiration, and for helping a person learn and begin to praise.  However, they also show the reality of life and doctrine.

    “Often gigantic problems are created by seemingly small causes.  Sometimes it is precisely because the causes go unnoticed that the problems become so huge.” (William J. Peterson)  Maybe you have been there?  Things seem to go wrong and you begin to question what happened.  What did I do that was wrong?  Why is this happening to me?  Truth be known, there are those out there who would like nothing better than to see a Christian fail.  They want to see that because that person is a Christian, but also because they want to see how strong their testimony is.
    Psalm 7 is written for the believer who has been falsely accused.  As you ponder this Psalm you can sense the hurt of the individual.  Look at the news, especially the comedians, the cartoonists, and the late-night personnel.  See their mockery.  Before the Nazis began their program of extermination they started with scorn and mockery.  They caricatured and dehumanized their targets through ridicule and false accusation. Today, in America, those who are committed to biblical standards of morality are commonly typed as intolerant, hateful, or even dangerous. (George O. Wood)

          1 Yahweh my God, I seek refuge in You; save me from all my pursuers and rescue me
          2 or they will tear me like a lion, ripping me apart with no one to rescue me.
          3 Yahweh my God, if I have done this, if there is injustice on my hands,
          4 if I have done harm to one at peace with me or have plundered my adversary without cause,
          5 may an enemy pursue and overtake me; may he trample me to the ground and leave my honor in the dust.   Selah

“Selah” is my way of thinking — “Ponder This.”

    God, who judges the nations, also is concerned about each believer.  He will eventually judge those who slander His children, especially if it is unjust.  As you read this next section, look hard at verse 9.  Remember, this is a prayer of David.
    Do not neglect to take care of small problems.  Do it while they are still small; do not let them grow into big ones.  There is no issue insignificant to the Lord if it concerns you.  “Pain is hard enough to bear when you are mostly or partly responsible; it becomes a heavy cross when you are not at all to blame.” (Wood)

          6 Rise up, Lord, in Your anger; lift Yourself up against the fury of my adversaries; awake for me; You have ordained a judgment.
          7 Let the assembly of peoples gather around You; take Your seat on high over it.
          8 The Lord judges the peoples; vindicate me, Lord, according to my righteousness and my integrity.
          9 Let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous.  The One who examines the thoughts and emotions is a righteous God.

                 “He is a Judge who is fair;
                  He is a Shield that is sure.
                  His mighty power is everywhere,
                  And His Word will e’er endure.”
                       –Old Scottish Psalter

When times seem tough.  When it seems you are losing the battle; that everything is going against you, turn to Psalm 7.  God will see you through to victory.  Keep trusting Him.