kingdom travelin'

“Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭37‬:‭1‬-‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.37.7.ESV

John Owen provides something to ponder about our Lord.

The soul considers his presence, ponders his love, his condescension, goodness, and kindness; is filled with reverence of him, and cares [takes care] not to grieve him, and labours to preserve his temple, his habitation, pure and holy.

“His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.” Psalm‬ ‭147‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

If we want to learn to love God, we must first realize that we must come to Him, not in strength, but in humility.

We must arrive at the point where we say to Him, to borrow from C. S. Lewis, “Oh God, I can’t. You must.”

Accepting His kindness that leads us to repentance is the way.

Whether in smooth quiet waters as depicted in this photo from Lake Balaton week before last or the threatening storm over Budapest taken from a boat on the Danube, our heart’s posture is to trust, to have faith in God’s power, goodness and steadfast love.

““Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah” Psalm‬ ‭46‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭143‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

To remember what He has done is to build trust.

“Be not silent, O God of my praise!

For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues.

They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause.

In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer.

So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭109‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬