Psalms 79-83

(November 10, 2014)

                I appreciated the language in these psalms from the Lord (and I never know for sure whether the Lord is actually speaking in the Psalms or whether we have the artistic license of the psalmist) that because we would not listen to Him, He gave us up to our lusts.  I think that there is a great key to living a full and happy life (and the life of a disciple of Christ) contained in this language.

                The Lord is willing to give us whatever we want – regardless of whether it is good for us or not.  It seems that this is somehow a key part of our agency – if we want a certain type of life, we will receive that life in the end (whether here or hereafter).  But God understands that the life we want now is not the life that will bring us the most joy.  He stands calling to us to accept a new life, to desire what He desires.  Accepting the Atonement is more than simply erasing our sins, it is changing our nature so, in the end, when we are given what we want what we want is actually what we should want.

                For now, we need to cross ourselves from our lusts.  But, eventually, we must be able to allow the Atonement to change our nature so that our lusts are no longer for the things of this world and instead we desire the things of God and His life.  Then we can be given that and receive an everlasting joy.