The
holiday season is a time for family gatherings, and good feelings.
Generally, we are all on our “best behavior” of the year, and
happiness abounds. During this time, we are more prone to appreciate
even the little things in life and like the picture says:” One day
you will look back and realize they were the big things”.
For
many of us out there, it is the only time we go to church (and
possibly Easter as well). During the year, other things get in the
way of our remembering God and consider him a small part of their
life and a very low priority. But, to paraphrase the above quote: one
day you will look back and realize that God should have been the most
important of all.
So,
this being true; what sort of attitude should we have? The first
thing that comes to mind is that of David, that great king of ancient
Israel. Why? Because the Bible says that he was a man after God’s
own heart.(See Acts 13:22) To me David’s attitude is best
exemplified by the following Psalm…
Psalm
143 ( World
English Bible
)
[1] A Psalm by David. Hear my prayer, Yahweh. Listen to my
petitions. In your faithfulness and righteousness, relieve me. [2]
Don’t enter into judgment with your servant, for in your sight no
man living is righteous. [3] For the enemy pursues my soul. He has
struck my life down to the ground. He has made me live in dark
places, as those who have been long dead. [4] Therefore my spirit is
overwhelmed within me. My heart within me is desolate.
[5] I remember the days of old. I meditate on all your doings.
I contemplate the work of your hands. [6] I spread forth my hands to
you. My soul thirsts for you, like a parched land. Selah.
[7] Hurry to answer me, Yahweh. My spirit fails. Don’t hide
your face from me, so that I don’t become like those who go down
into the pit. [8] Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the
morning, for I trust in you. Cause me to know the way in which I
should walk, for I lift up my soul to you. [9] Deliver me, Yahweh,
from my enemies. I flee to you to hide me.
[10] Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your Spirit is
good. Lead me in the land of uprightness. [11] Revive me, Yahweh, for
your name’s sake. In your righteousness, bring my soul out of
trouble.
[12] In your loving kindness, cut off my enemies, and destroy all
those who afflict my soul, For I am your servant.
David
had a close relationship with the Almighty. He was a willing, humble
servant who sought God at every turn. Even though David had failings
and sinned, still he always returned to God in repentance. Other than
our savior, Jesus, what better model could there be of an ordinary
human being?
Today,
we all have the opportunity to be better; why not take advantage of
the time to get closer to God? Who knows, with God’s help, you may
become the person you always wanted to be, and more!