November 11, 2017 - - Psalm 50:23 Boredom and praise, laziness and salvation

Whoever offers praise glorifies Me;

And to him who orders his conduct aright

I will show the salvation of God.

Psalm 50:23 NKJV

Perhaps you have had this thought about Bible reading and prayer times: "I don't feel like it right now."

I wonder, how many of us have opened the fridge when we weren't really hungry and stood there scanning for something to tempt us until we grabbed a snack?

I wonder, now many of us have flipped through movie selections, not really sure of what we might be interested in watching and ended up just watching something, anything, even a show we've seen several times already?

I wonder, how many of us have avoided the things we know we needed to do and instead scrolled through FB or emails or YouTube videos?

Like Paul, in Romans 7, we know the good we should do but we neglect it and we do the very things we know we should not do.

Here the Psalmist, inspired by the very God Who made us, writes words that remind us it takes effort to properly order our conduct, to make decisions to stop doing wrong, or making poor choices and instead make the courageous and blessed decision to spend time with God. From there our conduct and decisions flow from the highest place of order and wisdom.

When I am tempted to mindlessly flip channels, inspire me instead to turn to Your Word of Truth, O God of Truth. Entice me by Your Spirit to see wonderful things in the passages of the Bible so that my heart is turned towards You. I confess I am often reluctant and skittish about spending time with You, because I know my own weaknesses and failures. The fact is, You already know the very worst about me, and have invited me to bring glory, praise, and blessing to Your Name. Lift me from the doldrums, or boredom, or laziness (or whatever it is that keeps me from You) and let me choose, again and again, or if necessary force myself to spend time in Your Word and in Your Presence until it is the joy and refreshment found in Jesus alone that keeps me seeking You out. Amen.