The crucial words here are “I will.” The Psalmist began this prayer with self as the focus. The entire thought is, “What is happening to me? I cry and nothing happens.” But now, a shift from self to God has taken place, and the outcome is more positive as a result.
When self is at the center, the mind is governed by our feelings. We find ourselves limited to “natural thinking,” or thinking on a limited narrow plane, which does not take into consideration all the facts.
When we focus on self our emotions will lead to distress and despair. That is why the Psalmist misses the point so completely. The heart is a powerful factor in human thinking. When the emotions and feelings get hold of us and control our thinking, then we discover that we can’t reason properly. But when something stops us, then the head and the will can assert themselves and take over.
“What is wrong with beginning with self?” People are limited beings, so when we begin with self, our thinking is necessarily limited. But when we start with God, we are starting with the great Truth that encompasses all other truths. We have broadened our vision to take in every aspect of Truth.
Someone has described that kind of thinking as “cubical thinking.” Truth is not a single level of thought; it is a cube. It has sides, other aspects, which need to be considered. All truth is related to other truth. We discover that, as we relate a fact to other truths that touch it on every side of the “cube,” we see the fact in a different light from when we considered it alone.
Let us resolve today to do as the psalmist—to handle the temptations to doubt that come to us; to systematically, thoughtfully, and carefully begin where God wants us to begin and work through from that basis; to rise above the limitations of natural thinking and begin to think spiritually.
(We invite your comments. Feel free to share this devotion with your friends and invite them to subscribe by forwarding their email address to the Pastor at: fredjeffsmith@gmail.com)
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