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A broken and contrite heart comes when you are truly emotionally and spiritually brokenhearted at the sin that you have committed against God. Not because you got caught but because you realize the awefulness of your sin. I see very little of that these days. I even feel very little of that in my own life. Godly sorrow seems hard to attain. There has been so much self justification and so much of a lethargic spirit in the house of God that a broken and contrite heart seems to be a mythe. Humility is always a good place to start in any thing. Pride and conceit will keep you far far away from the touch of the Masters Hand. Humbling yourself and yeilding yourself to God is the only way to achieve any good thing from God.

With God all things are possible. By the blood of Jesus can we be fully restored to a pure heart. We first of all must confess our sins to God and repent. He then will do the rest. We need to constantly and consistantly seek the face of God and His will. Staying in the Word and Praying. But it is God that does the work.

No he is not minimizing his sin against Bathsheba and Uriah, but is acknowledging that the sin is first and formost against God. No he is not excusing himself but again is acknowledging the complete sinfulness and sin nature that he has. He is saying I acknowledge that I am a sinner and need YOUR help. I am nothing without YOU Lord.

Self deceit works with sin to cover it up and hide it (as though we could). Another word for self deceit might be to "justify" our sin. If that hadn't happened then I would not have done this. Another way we self deceive is to play the blame game. It's always someone elses fault thus relieving me of any responsibility. We see this in people from 2 to 92. Confession first of all makes us accept responsibilty for our sin and makes us look fully in the face of the sin we have committed and say this is what I did. We like to think we are better than we are. We don't like to look and the ugly evil side of our personalities. We dont want other people to see our flaws either. A two edged sword. Sometimes a confrontation of some sort to see clearly what is what without the self deception. I remember a time I was very into church, but had slipped into some sin that I knew was going to destroy me and all that God wanted me to be. I thought I had it hidden and that "nobody knows" (one of the great lies of satan). I went to church and heard the preaching of the Word and conviction fell on me and God convicted me of my sin and I repented and went home and made things right that very day.

For me to rest in God means to trust God. When life becomes overwhelming I go to the Rock that is higher than I. I run to Him and read HIS word. I pray and trust HIM to take care of the situation that is bringing me turmoil. Often times HE doesn't change the situation - but changes me.

Sitting by a river and resting is a wonderful experience. The sound of the water going by has a calming effect. When life becomes too rushed and ragged we can sit by the river and rest. I also think of the river of life flowing down from the Father above, and knowing that He is in control. Sometimes we need to be still and reflect on the greatness of God. He is great and awesome. He loves us and will move heaven and earth to come to our rescue when we cry out to Him. To know God and to know His greatness, and to know he loves me brings me peace. I don't have to have all the answers and solutions - God has all that. I trust HIM.

Simply put it means I trust you. I know that you love me and that you want what is good and right for my life. I know that you are able to bring to completion that good work that you have begun in me. When we fully trust God we can't help but have peace. My times are in your hands. You are the one in control here not me. All I have to do is trust you. I've been through enough to know you will be enough for me.

He supplies my needs, gives me rest, restores my soul, leads me in paths of righteousness, comforts me when i am scared,

By refusing to be overwhelmed by things to great for him. Trusting in God and knowing that God is in control. He realizes that he doesn't have to know everything and accepts the fact that some things are beyond his understanding. David is not proud or haughty. he has humbles himself before the lord knowing that God is in control

The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it. He is the creator and the creation belongs to HIM. He must have clean hands and a pure heart. Does not seek kto be an Idol. does not want to be glorified but is willing to give to others and to give God all praise and glory. The glory of the King means that he is worthy. He is to be honored. He must have entrance to the city (our hearts)

As we remember the great things God has done for us in the past and as we give Him praise for seeing us through tough times, it builds our faith so that we can make our requests known unto God with great expectations. both of these metaphors tell us that there is going to be a season of waithing and a season of harvest. We must no grow weary in well doing but stand faithfull, bellieving that God will see us through. I must sow in God's word and He is the one responsible for the harvst.

Ascribe means to credit or attribute to. In this case to give God the credit and the glory for the great things he has done. Not to do so would be foolishness. God is worthy of all our praise for it is He who has made us He is the creator and by Him all thing consist and exist.

Sometimes it is hard to see beyond what is directly in our face. Our circumstances are so real and God sometimes seems so far away. Satan is constantly reminding of us the turmoil in our lives and the hurt that we are dealing with. When we lay our burdens down and start praising God in spite of our circumstances, our faith rises up and our whole countenance changes. God lifts us up above the clouds of gloom and despair. When the praises go up the blessings come down. God takes care of our attitude and our circumstances, and establishes our goings.

Psalm 22:7 All who see me laugh me to scorn Luke 18:32 Mocked, and despitefully treated, and spit upon Psalm 22:15 My tongue cleaveth to my jaws. John 19 28 I thirst Psalm 22:16 the peirced my hands and feet. Mark 15:25 and they crucified Him Psalm 22:18 they parted my garments and John19:24 Let us not rend it (his vesture) but let us cast lots for my vesture cast lots for it I do think that Jesus knew that Psalm 22 was referring to Himself. I don't think HE went into this thing not knowing what would befall Him. I think David penned these words so that years later people would be able to say that it happened just as it was prophesied. There would be no question as to whether this was just an ordinary man that got a bad deal but they would know that this was that which had been prophesied about years before

He was expressing the fact that God cannot stand the sight of sin. While Jesus was on the cross HE took on the sins of the world. God cannot look on sin. Jesus felt the price of sin even though HE himself had not committed sin but was bearing the burden of sin. He felt forsaken and abandoned by HIS Father. The Father remained silent for a span of time so that the work that Jesus came to do could be finished. But three days later God raised Him from the dead to forever be Lord of Lords and King of Kings.

He is king and ruler. The annointed king is Yahweh's Son - His begotten. Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Love and trustworthiness are the basis of who God is. How could we serve a God who does not love us or that we could not trust. To Love HIM and to KNOW HIM we must first know that HE loves us and that HE is faithful to us. We NEED to know that we can trust HIM - with all of our heart, and lives. Steadfast, kind, loving, compassionate, loving Romans 8:35 "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, sword? Romans 8:38 I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, angels, principalities, powers, things present or things to come..........shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Lord is near to all that call on HIM, and The Lord upholdeth all that fall. I have learned in the years that I have served God that Praise is a necessity. Praise prepares you for worship. It give God the honor and glory that is due HIM. He is Worthy of our highest praise. If you want to see things change in your life try praising HIM. I try to praise HIM rather that ask for this and that all the time. I praise HIM for what HE has done and for what HE is going to do. I do not praise HIM near enough. I try to tell others of HIS greatness as well.

His love and forgiveness it took the exodus for God to reveal to them His great love and power there are no limits

Christians aren't immune to death and such but we know that All things work together for the good of those who love the lord and are called according to his purpose. We look beyond this life. To be absent here is to be present with the lord. Sometimes things happen but in due time God will show HIMSelf to be strong, true, and faithful. He will prove HIMSELF to be all that the word says that HE is. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Faith says everything is alright when the circumstances are screaming defeat, fear, and death. I know without a doubt that God protects us if for no other reason than that the BIBLE tells me so

It is very reassuring to know that God watches over me and my household. There have been many times that I have prayed for my children and told God that they are in your care. You keep them and lead them. You know where they are and what they are doing and I TRUST YOU to take care of them. and I KNOW that HE DOES. I feel loved to know that God promises me in HIS word that he will take care of me.

It teaches simply that God IS our protector. no matter what the enemy throws our way GOD is the one who will protect and destroy our enemies. The battle is not mine but the LORDS. HE is the one doing the fighting. My job is to praise HIM, love HIM, and serve HIM. He promisses to rescue,protect, answer, to be there in time of trouble. It all makes me to feel safe knowing I am sheltered in the arms of a loving and powerful GOD!

He uses the rock which is very high, and the strong tower. both being a place of refuge & safety. I feel peace & comfort in knowing that God will protect me both physically, mentally, & spiritually. It is HIM & HIM alone that I can run to in time of trouble & know that HE is in control! praise GOD!

If you are not confident that God loves you then you will be filled with doubt, fear, and unbelief. You eventually take of the attitude that God will do it for some one else but not for me. God is no respector of persons what He does for one HE will do for YOU. You must KNOW that GOD LOVES YOU! How can you have faith in some one if you aren't sure they love you? To know that God loves me brings me great joy and power. To know that HE loves me helps me to know that GOD will fight my battles and HE will take care of me and of what is mine. It also give me the boldness to share the love of Christ with others. How could I do that if I questioned HIS love??

The psalmist is feeling down and out. Depressed. Defeated. He combats this spiritual depression by reminding himself of Who GOD is and what GOD has done for him in the past, and by making a committed decision to praise God in spite of the the circumstances. Yes I have felt this way. I think any one who has been a Christian for more that 2 weeks has been in a spiritual battle fighting to keep your head above water. As we mature in Christ we sometimes take on the attitude that we should not have these battles. There is an old sayilng that says "Different level - different devil" To overcome depression or feelings of defeat or even fear I do as the Psalmist did. I remind myself of who GOD is and of HIS great power. Then I remind myself of who I am. I am a child of the most high GOD and HE loves me. Then I remember the times in the past when HE saw me through. While I am doing all of this I refuse to look at the circumstances around me but I remember the Promises HE has given in HIS WORD. AND I GIVE HIM PRAISE AHEAD OF TIME! Before the answer comes I praise HIM and give HIM thanks as if it was already done. I call those things that are not - as though they are. I see the situation in Victory and Praise HIM for it. I know that GOD is in control HALLELUJAH!!!