14. looks down on us to see if anyone seeks him (Psalm 14:2)
15. wants his people to despise vile people but honor those who fear God (Psalm 15:4)
16. requires his people to recognize him as Lord (Psalm 16:1)
17. delivers his people from the wicked with a sword (Psalm 17:13)
18. when he is aroused makes the earth quake, smoke comes from his nostrils and fire from his mouth, he clothes himself in darkness, and his voice thunders (Psalm 18:7-12)
19. created the whole universe and the heavens in particular to display his glory (Psalm 19:1)
20. and finally, this very awesome God is also someone we can expect to actually answer us! (Psalm 20:1-9)
Today I would challenge you to meditate with me on these things. Allow these words to reshape your image of God. He is not a cuddly but ineffective friend. He is fearful, awesome, powerful, righteous, and yet this God is the same one who has promised to answer you.
I don’t know about you, but reading these words makes me want to repent of treating God lightly, of not respecting him enough, and of trifling with so-called ‘minor’ sins.
Of course this image of God I have painted today is not totally absent from modern worship. But I challenge you to think of a song that clearly focuses on this aspect of his character. And if you write worship songs, perhaps be inspired by these words from the Psalms.
When I next write, we will see how this view of God is vital as we seek to understand what happened in 2 Samuel 6.
