Howard Morrison writes about his encounters with God (and himself) in the Book of Psalms. One in the Walking the Walk series of posts on the spiritual practices of people in business.
I try to read through the Bible every year. It’s not as difficult as it sounds. 1189 chapters ÷ 365 days = a little more than three chapters a day.
I was making good headway in March, 2008 when I found myself prompted to slow down and soak up the Psalms rather than speed on through. I decided to continue reading the rest of the Bible, but it’s August and I’m still working my way through the Psalms.
This is partly because, when I got to Psalm 2:11, I found I really couldn’t go any further simply reading.
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Worship the LORD with reverence, And rejoice with trembling.
— Psalm 2:11 New American Standard Bible
There in front of me was a biblical definition of worship. Not the only one, but a decidedly clear definition. Here are some of my reflections that day (polished up a little for sharing):
I spent some time in Psalm 2 this morning. I was struck by vs. 11 which calls us to worship in reverence. Worship is always a hard term to define, describe, or exhibit. In the end the Lord knows our heart and judges our motives. But I was struck that it appears that the Bible actually gives us the definition. The second half of the verse says to “rejoice with trembling.” What a nice balance. We should always rejoice because of God’s grace. God loved us first. God took the initiative — “while we were yet sinners” as Paul would put it much later (Romans 5). But our rejoicing shouldn’t be so frivolous that we forget God is capable of anger and fury (Psalm 2:5) and wrath (Psalm 2:12). The opposite is also true. We should be humbled, bowed before God, but it shouldn’t be as if we have no hope. When the time was right, God installed His Son as King (Psalm 2:6). And God has all power to bestow blessings (Psalm 2:8). What a great balance…rejoice with trembling.
I’ve never been good at journaling. I’ve tried a few times and just stopped. I’ve tried to journal in long hand. I’ve tried in tidbit thoughts. I’ve tried typing. Pretty pitiful. However I tried to journal, I always stunk at it…until now I suppose.
When I started digging into the Psalms I thought, Well maybe I’ll try writing down my thoughts. I don’t think my efforts are heroic but, for some reason, it’s going much better this time (turning 50 might have something to do with it but I can’t be sure).
I was reading a book by Henri Nouwen — I believe it is entitled, In the Name of Jesus. I was touched by many passages, but one stuck with me in particular. He said, “We must first read the Scriptures, and then we must let the Scriptures read us.” Ouch. I realized I had not been doing much of that latter part. It fit well with my intent to slow down.
I guess I’ve come to the point in my life where I feel like I need to be accountable to other believers — to give evidence that I’m pursuing a life that is growing. I decided to share my reflections with people who knew me and several friends spontaneously volunteered how the earliest things I wrote helped them or someone with whom they shared my writing. Not something I anticipated but certainly gratifying. In a way I’ve come to see sharing my reflections as a means of living my life in front of others. There is a danger here, I know. I could find myself trying to write for other people; but that would be a mistake. My posture is, What am I learning? Where is God entering my life and touching me? Where is His Scripture alive in my life? OK. Write that down. Then I ask, Would that help others? If I think the answer is Yes I pass it along.
I’m trying to be discerning. I’ve written more than I’ve shared. It’s a danger to feel I need to write something because I need to share my insights. I’m doing my best to avoid that. Truly, it hasn’t really been that hard because this has largely been a selfish thing on my part…to receive the benefit of time with God in His Word. If there is some spillage into other people’s lives, then all the better.
