relationships (Psalm 75:1-10) Getting Perspective

(Psalm 75:1-10)  We give thanks to You, God, we give thanks,

     For Your name is near;
     People declare Your wondrous works.
2   “When I select an appointed time,
     It is I who judge fairly.
3   The earth and all who inhabit it are unsteady;
     It is I who have firmly set its pillars. Selah 
4   I said to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’
     And to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up the horn;
5   Do not lift up your horn on high,
     Do not speak with insolent pride.’”

6   For not from the east, nor from the west,
     Nor from the desert comes exaltation;
7   But God is the Judge;
     He puts down one and exalts another.
8   For a cup is in the hand of the Lord, and the wine foams;
     It is well mixed, and He pours out of this;
     Certainly all the wicked of the earth must drain and drink its dregs.

9   But as for me, I will declare it forever;
     I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
10 And He will cut off all the horns of the wicked,
     But the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

"Do not toot your own horn!"  That's been said to me a few times in my life.  It's such a simple idiom, but it really does carry a lot of weight.  Obviously, those who choose to NOT believe in the Lord, will tend to claim all victories and possessions as a result of their own fortune, strategies and work.  They will also tend to blame others when things don't go their way.  

When these things happen, it should not come as a shock to us.  But there are other things for us to keep in mind.  We can only control the things we do and say.  Meanwhile, the Lord God is sovereign and ultimately in control of all things, even while allowing all of us to exercise our free will.  

Because of this, we cannot make it our goal to control others.  This will only lead to frustration, disappointment, fear and anger.  We can express our desires to others about what we might expect of them, while asking God to work within all circumstances, and making it our goal to do better in God's strength and guidance.

As Christians, this means humbly realizing that we always need the Lord!  In this, it then means humble asking and "allowing" God to work out all things for us, while we continue striving to live in His will.  In trusting the Lord in all things, we should know that He is always faithful and caring, and all good gifts are from Him!  Therefore, He always deserves all the credit and the glory.  

So, how does THIS help us in our other relationships?  With both believers and unbelievers, we can focus on demonstrating God's love.  Typically, if and when we are more focused on ourselves and our own accomplishments, we tend to use that as our inspiration and motivation to continue building out our own empires.  As well, we definitely can fall into the trap of comparing ourselves with others, which will lead to other unhealthy behaviors, like judging others.

God is judge, and one day everyone will face Him.  God is also just, so we can be confident that He knows the exact right time for everything.  Everyone who is to become a believer will have made that decision.  And everyone who rejects Jesus will have been given fair opportunity.

It all comes down to the condition of our hearts.  Is it boastful in thinking that you don't need Jesus and you want nothing to do with Him?  Or have you humbled your heart, knowing that we are all sinners who need Jesus and His salvation, as well as His continuous strength and His guidance?  It's that "simple".  It is all about putting the Lord Jesus Christ first in our lives, before all other relationships.