I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Psalms 45-51.

    The Psalms readings for the last several days were written from the perspective of someone who suffered from depression and outlined how he dealt with it. Today’s Psalms reflect the thoughts of a psalmist who takes joy in worshiping the Lord. He tells us that we need not, and should not, fear, no matter what is happening around us. God will be our shelter and our strength. So, we need not fear when earthquakes come and mountains crumble into the sea, not even when the oceans rise and storms bring floods. A God who can protect us from the mighty forces which nature can bring to bear, and our God can, will find the forces which mere mortals can exert a minor nuisance. When turmoil surrounds us, rather than panic and run and shout, let us be still and know that He is God. I cannot emphasize that enough, when turmoil is all around us, the earth shakes, mountains are crumbling, the waves are rising, be still, stay calm, and know that God is in control. We do not need to fear the rich and/or powerful. They too will die. No matter how much money or power they have, they do not have enough to ransom themselves, or anyone else, from the grave. On the other hand, God will redeem those who trust and obey him from the grave.

    The final two psalms call for us to recognize that we have sinned, to confess our sins, and to turn away from our sins and commit them no more. That last is much easier said than done. God does not need our material possessions. We cannot bribe Him to look the other way when we sin. Sacrificing from our material goods benefits us, not God, and no amount of money, or goods, given to charitable organizations will make up for doing wrong. If we lend our approval to the dishonest, spend our time with the adulterer, speak lies and slander those closest to us (or even those not so close to us) God will rebuke us. He calls on us to repent of our sins and acknowledge that we have wronged by our sins. We are unable to do anything to clean this up. It is only by God’s action that we can be made clean, that our hearts may be made pure. He must make us willing to obey Him. Only then will we teach the rebellious His ways so that they too will return to Him.