365: Psalms 105 and 106 (Day 181)

This year I'm reading through the Bible in Eugene Peterson's The Message. I normally study from the NIV, and both my undergrad and seminary programs called for using the NRSV. My practice is to read through the NIV every other year choosing another translation on the alternate years. I will admit, though, that while I was in school I found only the time and energy to do my Bible reading for classwork and sermon prep. Reading The Message has really given me a fresh perspective on the Scriptures.

Psalm 105:1a reads: Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name;... (NIV) Try this: Thank God! Pray to him by name! (The Message) In many cultures a name is more than just a label. In Hebrew one's name describes and defines one's character/nature. When Hagar, slave to Abraham's wife, was running from her mistress to avoid Sarah's abuse, she was astounded that the God of the universe would take notice of her, a woman and a slave. She cried out: You are the God who sees me. What a wonderful blessing for those times when we feel like nobody knows the trouble I've seen. God sees, and God knows.

In 106:13-15 the Psalmist speaks about the Israelite refugees and how unappreciative they were in response to God's goodness. So, according to verse 15, [God] gave them what they asked for, but sent a wasting disease upon them. Peterson paraphrases it like this: He gave them exactly what they asked for--but along with it they got an empty heart. Wow! What a powerful lesson in giving God the credit and the thanks he deserves. This brings to mind Romans 1:21. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Simply acknowledging where our blessings come from--giving God the credit he deserves--makes a world of difference in the condition of my heart.