Who The Happy People Are

The term "blessed" (used 26 out of 45 times in Psalms) is recurrent in Wisdom Literature and describes the faithful followers.

1. Job 5:17; Ps. 94:12 — disciplined by Shaddai

2. Psalm 1:1 — studies and walks in God's word

3. Psalm 2:12 — takes refuge in YHWH

4. Psalm 32:1-2 — sin is forgiven

5. Psalm 40:4; 84:12; Pro. 16:20 — trusts in YHWH

6. Psalm 41:1-3; Pro. 14:21 — considers the poor

7. Psalm 80:6 — strength is in YHWH

8. Psalm 89:12 — know joy and walk in the light of YHWH's countenance

9. Psalm 119:2 — seek Him with whole heart, observe His testimony

10. Psalm 112:1; 128:1 — fears YHWH, walks in His ways

11. Psalm 146:5 — YHWH is his help

12. Proverbs 3:13 — finds wisdom

13. Proverbs 8:32,34 — listens to YHWH, keeps His ways

14. Proverbs 28:14 — fears YHWH

15. Proverbs 29:18 — keeps YHWH's laws

Immediate Forgiveness (Psalm 32)

"It is a Psalm of penitence, but it is also the song of a ransomed soul rejoicing in the wonders of the grace of God. Sin is dealt with; sorrow is comforted; ignorance is instructed." G. Campbell Morgan.

"This was Saint Augustine's favorite psalm. Augustine had it inscribed on the wall next to his bed before he died in order to meditate on it better." James Montgomery Boice.

A Change of Heart (Psalm 51 outline, study questions)

Sin will take me further than I want to go.

Sin will keep me longer than I want to stay.

Sin will cost me more than I want to pay.

The evidence of true repentance is a clean heart (Ps 51:10), willingness and wholeheartedness (Ps 51:12, 19), confidence (Ps 51:13, 15), brokenness (Ps 51:17) and joy (Ps 51:8, 12).

1. David's confession shows the efficacy of repentance (1-6).
2. David's cleansing shows the evidence of repentance (7-12).
3. David's confidence shows the effect of repentance (13-19).

Soft, Gentle and Kind

The softest, gentlest and kindest man who ever lived is Christ Jesus, our Lord. Men may not like to be regarded as soft. It has the connotation of being weak. But Jesus was soft as in being tender and vulnerable, not weak. Anyone could approach him without feeling intimidated or scared. Though Jesus was soft, he was also the toughest man who ever lived. He stared his vicious enemies in the face and faced his own excruciating demise without flinching. He is tender and tough. He is vulnerable and fearless. He is soft and courageous. Jesus is a man's man.

The Bible speaks volumes about gentleness and kindness, which should reflect the soft heart of God and of Christ toward us fallen, belligerent and incorrigible creatures.

This Is My Life

What is my life? What is your life?

Billy Joel captures our human sentiments with his song: "I don't care what you say anymore, this is my life. Go ahead with your own life and leave me alone."

By God's grace, I would like my version to be: "I do care what you say, I always want to care, this is my life. Do live your own life and let me walk alongside you." And if you won't, maybe I'll shed a tear.

In The Greatest Showman, Keala Settle sang the Academy Award nominated song "This Is Me" (Benj Pasek, Justin Paul).These are the catchy lyrics:

When the sharpest words wanna cut me down

I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out

I am brave, I am bruised

I am who I'm meant to be, this is me

Look out 'cause here I come

And I'm marching on to the beat I drum

I'm not scared to be seen

I make no apologies, this is me