The Rabbi

Devotions, how sweet! I love that we call time with God that, as silly and sentimental as that may seem. On the Jesus survey, I put him down as my lover, though He really is all of them. I don’t know what I’m really saying by that, but I am overwhelmingly in love with Him, so I guess that makes Him my lover. But you men don’t talk that way.

Perceived separation by sin: I think that’s the unifying factor between men and women as human beings in relationship with our Creator—we all feel separated by sin, but in different ways. Hm… so the restoration of relationship brings about some sort of gigantic surge upwards in our walk with God… yes… I think, though, beyond repentance, I have felt exceedingly close to Him in… dare I say it… those passionate times of communion besides the whole restorative sense of passion. Its equal, but different. I think, even after saying that, that perhaps the times where God and I get so close I am really enraptured by His beauty, ecstatic about Him, that are even better than the restorative relationship. But maybe at the time, perceived reunion and restoration are the best thing I’ve ever felt after the separating power of sin.

I will never ask God to leave me and never sin so as to “cut myself off” from Him. Yet I feel if one is truly obedient, in touch, one always feel God going on ahead, in constant motion. If God is always moving forward, I have to keep perpetually close to not be on the fringe with Him… dare I say a human impossibility? So being on the fringe is good… cause it means I’m in touch. I am grateful He will slow down at times so I can be close with Him.

Yes, my beloved Jesus is sweet… but not in that passive, childish way… He’s fully knowing and fully aware, yet still so fully sweet. Intentional sweetness.. the best kind. Thank you for sharing!

The Psalmist essentially says, “Remember me and help me, but forget my sin. You God are big enough, strong enough and good enough to do that”. Unfortunately, we are not. For instance, the writer brings up the sins of his youth. Were these earlier sins unconfessed, or is the Psalmist carrying some baggage from the past? Perhaps our excess baggage is what makes us feel farther away from God, afflicted and tormented. He has not moved, yet we throw the baggage back in between us. Could clinging to the bad stuff make it multiply (v.17)? After all, our sinful actions are first conceived as thoughts. Then again, remembering our past grievances and the consequences that follow could serve as a warning device to not go there again. I’m perplexed. Should I try to forget my sins, or not? Lord help me. Deliver me. Thank you that you remembering me, for you are big enough, strong enough and good enough to do just that.

We tend to feel seperated and alone during periods of time in our lives. This can especially be the case during our times of trouble. Being that God is not tangable for hugs and long cups of coffee discussions. I agree that extreme emotion can bring about more colorful language.

The Psalmist is praying to God for relief from distress,for
pardon and guidance.He says in verse 5,"you are the God of my salvation".Same verse in NIV reads as,"you are God my savior".Unless one is sure of his/her salvation,that person
doesn't address God as "My Savior" is it not? It is my belief
that when we truly repent and confess to God with our mouth,
He wipes away all our sins and after repentance we should turn
away from the old sinful life.There is no need to keep reminding God not to remember the sins of my youth as the psalmist says unless we donot leave the excess baggage at
the feet of our savior.

It is when I sin that I feel so distant from God. yet there is
a feeling of closeness. This closeness always seems to me to be
God drawing me away from the sin. In time,I am convicted and
God forgives me. How true it is that God never moves out of our
lives. He is moving closer to us, because we are His children
and He loves us. The fellowship is there waiting to be restored.

the whole concept of fearing God has been on my mind a lot lately, and this psalm touches on that concept a little bit. one of the verses, says "The Lord is a friend to those who fear Him..." (v 14 NLT). and for me that whole concept of fearing God is something i like to just think and ponder about. i know its a type of respectful fear, but i also think its a bit deeper than that..
and other than that section i feel like the psalmist is desperately trying to make a decision about something, and they are praying and asking for the Lord's guidance while constantly reminding themselves that the Lord does direct and lead those who life as he has instructed. then at the end when the writer starts getting more frantic, i feel that they are making sure that God sees the importance and the urgency of His protection and quick response to their great need of an answer.