Comments on: The Psalms reflect that “life is bipolar.” http://www.deebrestin.com/2010/01/the-psalms-reflect-that-life-is-bipolar/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:27:18 +0000 hourly 1 By: Susan http://www.deebrestin.com/2010/01/the-psalms-reflect-that-life-is-bipolar/comment-page-1/#comment-1684 Susan Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:10:22 +0000 http://www.deebrestin.com/?p=1614#comment-1684 This is a late reply, but as I joined the study late, I am trying to work through it from the beginning (so as not to cheat! but mostly because I want to get the most out of this study). I have a New American Standard Bible translation and it identifies Psalm 18 as a Psalm of David who "spoke to the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul." So as we read this as a "prayer journal" of David to God, the context is how God delivered him from the hand of Saul when Saul was chasing David and trying to kill him. Although David had an opportunity during this time to kill Saul, he was reluctant to lay his hand on Saul whom he knew was God's annointed king, and David would not sin in this way against God. He was waiting on God's timing and for God to deal with Saul, and for the time when God would make him the king. So I think that is why David could say to God that in this circumstances, his hands were clean and he kept himself from sinning and therefore was rewarded by God for his righteousness. This is a late reply, but as I joined the study late, I am trying to work through it from the beginning (so as not to cheat! but mostly because I want to get the most out of this study). I have a New American Standard Bible translation and it identifies Psalm 18 as a Psalm of David who “spoke to the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.” So as we read this as a “prayer journal” of David to God, the context is how God delivered him from the hand of Saul when Saul was chasing David and trying to kill him.
Although David had an opportunity during this time to kill Saul, he was reluctant to lay his hand on Saul whom he knew was God’s annointed king, and David would not sin in this way against God. He was waiting on God’s timing and for God to deal with Saul, and for the time when God would make him the king. So I think that is why David could say to God that in this circumstances, his hands were clean and he kept himself from sinning and therefore was rewarded by God for his righteousness.

]]> By: Dee Brestin http://www.deebrestin.com/2010/01/the-psalms-reflect-that-life-is-bipolar/comment-page-1/#comment-1538 Dee Brestin Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:54:44 +0000 http://www.deebrestin.com/?p=1614#comment-1538 I agree with Elizabeth's sweet closing benediction. I think we're ready for the next post! I agree with Elizabeth’s sweet closing benediction. I think we’re ready for the next post!

]]> By: elizabeth http://www.deebrestin.com/2010/01/the-psalms-reflect-that-life-is-bipolar/comment-page-1/#comment-1537 elizabeth Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:05:42 +0000 http://www.deebrestin.com/?p=1614#comment-1537 Thankfully my book arrived yesterday, a very inviting book to hold & to look at can't wait to get into it's depth...looking forward to it...I'm behind the 8ball as it were. Such depth to every comment... Glory to God. With all these amazingly deep comments drawn from suffering with the Lord by each one's side,I feel as though I should be quiet, read(listen) & meditate & learn,if that makes sense? Thanks & bless you sisters in Christ. Thankfully my book arrived yesterday, a very inviting book to hold & to look at can’t wait to get into it’s depth…looking forward to it…I’m behind the 8ball as it were. Such depth to every comment… Glory to God.
With all these amazingly deep comments drawn from suffering with the Lord by each one’s side,I feel as though I should be quiet, read(listen) & meditate & learn,if that makes sense?
Thanks & bless you sisters in Christ.

]]> By: Anne Falzone http://www.deebrestin.com/2010/01/the-psalms-reflect-that-life-is-bipolar/comment-page-1/#comment-1536 Anne Falzone Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:36:46 +0000 http://www.deebrestin.com/?p=1614#comment-1536 I have some thoughts about question #5. The Psalms do seem bipolar to me in more ways than one. They seem to move back and forth between David and Christ. I think Psalm 88 could well describe the life of Christ on earth and the 3 days between His death and resurrection. He says He has been afflicted from His youth v15, which could have been the result of the circumstances of His birth. He mentions friends being distant v8,and repulsed by Him. He was counted with those going down to the pit v4, condemned to die. God's wrath weighing heavily on Him, being overwhelmed with waves of it v7. Then the Lord hiding His face from Him v14. I believe that of all the agony Jesus endured, the worst of it was when He took sin on Himself and God turned away. Then there was also 3 days in the grave v18, where darkness was his only friend. And the question about how I talk to God. For years I have taken my complaints straight to Him. Whether I am angry, sad or questioning. Not disrespectfully, but asking just the same. I have never sensed that He was angry with me about anything I said. In fact quite the opposite. Well I must go to bed. One more long day tomorrow and then a long weekend. Blessings to you all! I have some thoughts about question #5. The Psalms do seem bipolar to me in more ways than one. They seem to move back and forth between David and Christ. I think Psalm 88 could well describe the life of Christ on earth and the 3 days between His death and resurrection. He says He has been afflicted from His youth v15, which could have been the result of the circumstances of His birth. He mentions friends being distant v8,and repulsed by Him. He was counted with those going down to the pit v4, condemned to die. God’s wrath weighing heavily on Him, being overwhelmed with waves of it v7. Then the Lord hiding His face from Him v14. I believe that of all the agony Jesus endured, the worst of it was when He took sin on Himself and God turned away. Then there was also 3 days in the grave v18, where darkness was his only friend.

And the question about how I talk to God. For years I have taken my complaints straight to Him. Whether I am angry, sad or questioning. Not disrespectfully, but asking just the same. I have never sensed that He was angry with me about anything I said. In fact quite the opposite.

Well I must go to bed. One more long day tomorrow and then a long weekend.
Blessings to you all!

]]> By: Kim T. http://www.deebrestin.com/2010/01/the-psalms-reflect-that-life-is-bipolar/comment-page-1/#comment-1535 Kim T. Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:22:46 +0000 http://www.deebrestin.com/?p=1614#comment-1535 Sorry gals, Claudia who lost her mom and Kris' beautiful story. Sorry gals, Claudia who lost her mom and Kris’ beautiful story.

]]> By: Kim T. http://www.deebrestin.com/2010/01/the-psalms-reflect-that-life-is-bipolar/comment-page-1/#comment-1534 Kim T. Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:15:51 +0000 http://www.deebrestin.com/?p=1614#comment-1534 Kris, I lost my sweet Dad April 19. I feel for your pain and will pray for you. Thank you for sharing that beautiful story. Kris,
I lost my sweet Dad April 19. I feel for your pain and will pray for you. Thank you for sharing that beautiful story.

]]> By: Kim T. http://www.deebrestin.com/2010/01/the-psalms-reflect-that-life-is-bipolar/comment-page-1/#comment-1533 Kim T. Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:03:30 +0000 http://www.deebrestin.com/?p=1614#comment-1533 Teri, Thank you for that powerful song about silence. I seldom find a song that says exactly what I'm wanting to say to God...beautiful. I'm going to listen to that each day when I am preparing to do this study. I also appreciate the song shared earlier "It is well". That was lovely. Dee: May I also express my gratitude for this study and your book. It is one that fits well into my lifestyle and schedule. I am anxious to read ahead but will be patient. When I read your story I feel especially blessed to have been a prayer warrior for you and your family as you were going through that difficult time. L Y! Teri,
Thank you for that powerful song about silence. I seldom find a song that says exactly what I’m wanting to say to God…beautiful. I’m going to listen to that each day when I am preparing to do this study. I also appreciate the song shared earlier “It is well”. That was lovely.

Dee: May I also express my gratitude for this study and your book. It is one that fits well into my lifestyle and schedule. I am anxious to read ahead but will be patient. When I read your story I feel especially blessed to have been a prayer warrior for you and your family as you were going through that difficult time. L Y!

]]> By: Kim T. http://www.deebrestin.com/2010/01/the-psalms-reflect-that-life-is-bipolar/comment-page-1/#comment-1532 Kim T. Wed, 06 Jan 2010 23:40:06 +0000 http://www.deebrestin.com/?p=1614#comment-1532 You are welcome. You are welcome.

]]> By: Deb from WI http://www.deebrestin.com/2010/01/the-psalms-reflect-that-life-is-bipolar/comment-page-1/#comment-1531 Deb from WI Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:26:46 +0000 http://www.deebrestin.com/?p=1614#comment-1531 I also wanted to thank you for the idea that God will rescue me in a manner appropriate to my situation. It helps me to keep an open mind that the rescue may not necessarily be in a manner I am looking for but will be a rescue nevertheless. Thank you for these words that bring hope to me. I also wanted to thank you for the idea that God will rescue me in a manner appropriate to my situation. It helps me to keep an open mind that the rescue may not necessarily be in a manner I am looking for but will be a rescue nevertheless. Thank you for these words that bring hope to me.

]]> By: Kris Mercer http://www.deebrestin.com/2010/01/the-psalms-reflect-that-life-is-bipolar/comment-page-1/#comment-1530 Kris Mercer Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:23:47 +0000 http://www.deebrestin.com/?p=1614#comment-1530 Whew! as Janet H said Psalm 88 is one of a man(or woman) waiting to be delivered, rescued and the sooner the better! It is hard to read...I feel the pain, aloneness,overwhelming frustration....As I read this several times and meditated on it I realized that was me about six years ago. I felt exactly like that and maybe never verbalized it but wrestled with all of it nonetheless. After my annual appt. with my ob/gyn I had received the awful(oh no not me!)news of uterine cancer...that was bad enough! HELP LORD!! As I waited at my presurgical appointment a nurse came to tell me that my mammogram showed some concerns and I needed to go right then for further diagnostic tests...WHAT???!!! I didn't think I could stand up to follow her...I had come alone(it is always best to have someone with you!)but I realize I was not really alone:) HE was with me holding me up! Although at the time I felt very much like David completely overwhelmed and why was the Lord rejecting me, hiding His face from me?? I cried out to Him in the silence of my soul like I never had before.....you can imagine my anguish at thinking of facing uterine cancer and breast cancer... My extreme rescue moments came over the next several days....first the further diagnostic breast tests were ok-no concerns-WHAT??? PRAISE THE LORD!!! He heard me-He reached down, took hold of me out these DEEP waters-He rescued me- I can't even put into words MY JOY!! I was shaking! and stunned! and smiling:) I still faced the surgery for the uterine cancer...but even then as I took refuge in HIM I awoke to the news that the cancer had been minimal: Stage 1 with an excellent prognosis!!!! The drs. told me I could have walked around with it for a long time having it worsen right along. It was a miracle they found it when they did :):) Now as I recovered the sun was out! I was singing and dancing in my soul. I had been to a very hard place and HE alone had rescued me and held me close. WHAT JOY!!! As other trials in life come, as they always do, this is one of those bedrock faith moments for me that bring me back to HIM seeking refuge, strength and peace. Whew! as Janet H said Psalm 88 is one of a man(or woman) waiting to be delivered, rescued and the sooner the better! It is hard to read…I feel the pain, aloneness,overwhelming frustration….As I read this several times and meditated on it I realized that was me about six years ago. I felt exactly like that and maybe never verbalized it but wrestled with all of it nonetheless.
After my annual appt. with my ob/gyn I had received the awful(oh no not me!)news of uterine cancer…that was bad enough! HELP LORD!! As I waited at my presurgical appointment a nurse came to tell me that my mammogram showed some concerns and I needed to go right then for further diagnostic tests…WHAT???!!! I didn’t think I could stand up to follow her…I had come alone(it is always best to have someone with you!)but I realize I was not really alone:) HE was with me holding me up! Although at the time I felt very much like David completely overwhelmed and why was the Lord rejecting me, hiding His face from me?? I cried out to Him in the silence of my soul like I never had before…..you can imagine my anguish at thinking of facing uterine cancer and breast cancer…
My extreme rescue moments came over the next several days….first the further diagnostic breast tests were ok-no concerns-WHAT??? PRAISE THE LORD!!! He heard me-He reached down, took hold of me out these DEEP waters-He rescued me- I can’t even put into words MY JOY!! I was shaking! and stunned! and smiling:)
I still faced the surgery for the uterine cancer…but even then as I took refuge in HIM I awoke to the news that the cancer had been minimal: Stage 1 with an excellent prognosis!!!! The drs. told me I could have walked around with it for a long time having it worsen right along. It was a miracle they found it when they did :):) Now as I recovered the sun was out! I was singing and dancing in my soul. I had been to a very hard place and HE alone had rescued me and held me close. WHAT JOY!!!
As other trials in life come, as they always do, this is one of those bedrock faith moments for me that bring me back to HIM seeking refuge, strength and peace.

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