Psalm 94

O Lord, the God who avenges, O God who avenges, shine forth.
Rise up, O Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve.
How long will the wicked, O Lord, how long will the wicked be jubilant?

They pour out arrogant words; all the evildoers are full of boasting.
They crush your people, O Lord; they oppress your inheritance.
They slay the widow and the alien; they murder the fatherless.
They say, "The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob pays no heed".
Take heed, you senseless ones among the people; you fools, when will you become wise?
Does he who implanted the ear not hear?
Does he who formed the eye not see?
Does he who disciplines nations not punish?
Does he who teaches man lack knowledge?
The LORD knows the thoughts of man; he knows that they are futile.

Blessed is the man you discipline, O Lord, the man you teach from your law; you grant him relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked.
For the LORD will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance.
Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.

Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?
Unless the LORD had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.
When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.

Can a corrupt throne be allied with you--one that brings on misery by its decrees?
They band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.
But the LORD has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.
He will repay them for their sins and destroy them for their wickedness;
the LORD our God will destroy them.

Beauty Among Ugliness

A couple weeks ago, I commented to my mom and sister about how ugly north Texas is - especially in some of what surrounds where I live. Some industrial plants are not far, lots of highway, kinda flat. And then as I was driving home, I came upon this field right next to my neighborhood. It was a beautiful fall day - the temperatures mild, not a cloud in sight. Just beautiful, pure sky blue. The field was a brilliant shade of green with a few trees scattered here and there and some very tall yellow wildflowers. For just a moment, all I saw was the green of that field edged up to that perfect blue sky and nothing else. Mind you, there is highway all around and just behind me is the FedEx distribution center and not far from that is cement plants and more yuck. But God showed me His beauty that afternoon. I captured a glimpse of His splendor in that moment. Oh, praise You Father!

It got me to thinking... There is beauty to find among the ugliness. In a person. In a situation. In a conversation. In a city. In a small town. Sometimes it's easier to see than others. Sometimes you have to peel back a lot of layers to uncover it. Sometimes you have to put yourself in just the right vantage point to capture it. But it's there - so start looking. Seek it out. Be willing to give up your preconceived opinions and notions. Uncover it. Look beyond the obvious. Beauty is waiting for you. The beauty of God cries out to be explored and revealed. Behold! And then praise Him, beloved!

Ecclesiastes 3:11
He has made everything beautiful in its time...

Psalm 45:11
The King is enthralled by your beauty; honor Him, for He is your Lord.

Psalm 145:21
My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise His holy name for ever and ever.