Right now! lol Seriously! Go read it real quick. I'll wait. :-)
Okay, if you can't/won't read it now promise me to read it in the very near future.
I just read it in my devotions today and the Lord really spoke to and smote my heart through it! It's an unusually long chapter for a Psalm because it talks of all the nation of Israel went through during their exodus and all that the Lord did for them in that time. Of course, that means we get to hear about all of the complaining they did in comparison to all of the wondrous works the Lord did for them and how He forgave them over and over again. Like normal I felt disgust boil up in me at them at all of the complaining they did even a midst the daily bread He provided for them, literally and figuratively. Then I suddenly thought of all the complaining I've done, even recently, of life's "hardships" and things that I don't have even a midst the countless blessings He's given me, not even counting the numerous blessings He's bestowed upon me/my family over the years! Shame on ME!
He saved my family just as we were on the brink of self-destruction.
Then He saved each one of us one by one as we surrendered to Him.
He protected us when false allegations were brought against us.
He protected us through a handful of car accidents over the years, all which could have been much worse than they were.
He's provided incomes for each of us in numerous ways, specifically for my dad even when the plant where he'd worked for almost a decade closed down.
He's blessed us with a special family relationship even as we've all grown into adults and become "our own people".
He's blessed us with generally good health saving us many a Dr bill.
He's provided the blessing and encouragement of good friends near and far and the ability to visit them.
And that's just to name a few of the many ways He's protected and provided! He has truly blessed our family in so many ways. One of my favorite verses is "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.". (Psalm 37:25) He has proven this to me and my family many times so even when I start to be fearful I can read this promise and then remember all of the ways He's kept this promise. So then how dare I complain when He doesn't provide what I think I need now. Or when hardships come and I don't feel like I can handle them. Because He has proven Himself true over and over and over and over again.
The next level of shame came from verses 4-8 "We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.....That they might set their hope on God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments..." (vs 4 & 7) I can't even count the ways the Lord has protected and provided for myself and my family. But do the people around me know how much He's done for me? Have I kept hidden the many things He's done? Or do my friends and family know? Am I telling it to the next generation so they can tell the next generation? So that they can see the goodness of the Lord and learn to trust in Him and keep His Word? Just as He's taught me to. *sigh* I've got a lot to work on. But here's a start! The Lord has blessed me! In so many, many ways! And I don't want to keep it a secret. How about you??? In what ways has the Lord provided or protected you? Have you told someone about it? Do people know all that the Lord has done for you??? And are you trusting Him today with your trials and needs and even wants? He has proven His goodness, rest in His goodness.
"Despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" Romans 2:4
With Prayers, Sarah