July 31, 2012 – Psalms 10 – 11

Psalm 10 – Justice – I want to put in here verses 3 – 7 in case people look at my reflections but don’t actually read the verses because these verses describe a world that feels very familiar.  “The wicked even boast of their greed; these robbers curse and scorn the LORD. In their insolence the wicked boast:“God does not care; there is no God.” Yet their affairs always succeed; they ignore your judgment on high; they sneer at all who oppose them. They say in their hearts, “We will never fall; never will we see misfortune.”Their mouths are full of oaths, violence, and lies; discord and evil are under their tongues”.  If you don’t read that and think of the world around us and how they view God and treat those that do believe in God then you are either with your head under a rock or a follower of the world’s view. 

Psalm 11 – Confidence in God’s Presence – “God’s eyes keep careful watch; they test all peoples”.  4  This is an interesting verse since we are looking at Job as well.  The idea that we will be tested is not an idea that only pops up here and there.  It is really all over the Bible.  Tested as gold in fire is another idea that is scene.  With this idea so heavily used, how can people be so quick to discount God when things go bad.  It flows into what Job says about accepting the good and the bad.  We are so quick to ask for and accept the good things God gives us.  We are equally quick to complain and turn our backs when things are taken away.  Being tested shows our weaknesses, our imperfections.  We need help to accept the testing and understand that it is this testing that purifies us and brings us closer to God.  When reflecting on being tested and purified, it is also good to reflect on Purgatory and those that are being purified before entering their eternal reward.  Pray for those in Purgatory that their purification may be complete and they may bow at the feet of God for all eternity.