Workin' on down

I'm continuing my new job and things are going well at Ye Olde Musick Shoppe. Sold a sax with a very nice commission attached, and felt good about that, which of course led me to thoughts of "am I taking joy in receiving this, or in knowing that God is providing for me?" I am amazed that God has instilled a lot of patience in me, because I know under other circumstances always being so introspective about little things like that would piss me off after a while. However, it's the little things that always seem to get in the way, always seem to grow quickly into big things that drag me off course. Grumbling about someone who annoys me becomes grousing about every person I encounter, which becomes an unloving attitude. Lingering on a girl's picture for a little too long rushes headlong into lust. It's for these reasons I've been reading another Piper book. Of course, Piper is not the Word, but he does help me understand it. I'm thankful that so many great minds have been reconciled to God--John Piper, C.S. Lewis, Francis Schaeffer, Jonathan Edwards, and many others--to shine truth's light on the Word.

Lately I've been in Colossians, but I've felt pulled into the Psalms a lot. I was named after King David and I feel like I have a lot in common with him; I swing back and forth between a deep devotion and love for God and suddenly finding myself running headlong into some dumbass decision that I know better than to do. Psalm 145 is it for me today:

I will extol you, my God and King,
and bless your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless you
and praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised,
and his greatness is unsearchable.

One generation shall commend your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,
and I will declare your greatness.
They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness
and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The LORD is good to all,
and his mercy is over all that he has made.

All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD,
and all your saints shall bless you!
They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom
and tell of your power,
to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

[The LORD is faithful in all his words
and kind in all his works.]
The LORD upholds all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.

You open your hand;
you satisfy the desire of every living thing.
The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and kind in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;
he also hears their cry and saves them.
The LORD preserves all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.

My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD,
and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.