Psalm 7:9 (MSG) Close the book on Evil, God

Psalm 7:9 (The Message)
A David Psalm 

Close the book on Evil, GOD,
     but publish your mandate for us.
You get us ready for life:
     you probe our soft spots,
     you knock off our rough edges.

This was one of the harder psalms for me to decide on how to approach. The main theme to Psalm 7 is that David is an innocent man - he did not rebel against God or treat others unfairly. Whereas I, in my addictions, did rebel against God and treated others unfairly.  So, I am not innocent.  Nevertheless, I see what I've done is wrong.  I want to change my ways.  I want to close the book on evil.

Like David, though, I need God to rise and protect me from my enemies, to close the book on evil.  However, unlike David I am guilty so I need God to forgive me before he can do that.  In order for that to happen, according to the Lord's Prayer, I need to forgive people who have done me wrong.  On paper that seems like a fair trade.  On paper that seems easy.  That is, until I think about some of the people that have done me wrong.  But I do want God to close the book on evil.  So, today I will focus on that forgiveness.

Dear God, thank you for giving us today.  A day where we can focus on your plan in our lives.  A day where we can focus on being a reflection of you, and practice love and forgiveness.  Be with me as I work on this forgiveness.  Help me to let go of my pain and understand the other person's situation.  Help me to understand my role in the situation that lead to the wrong doing.  All these things will be hard for me so ask you help me as I struggle through them.  In doing this help us all to close the book on evil.  Especially, the addicts that still suffer.  Be with them as they try to put the cap on their bottles forever.  Be with them as they try to close the book on their destructive compulsions.  Lead them to a meeting to show them that there is a solution to their problems.  Show them there is road to recovery, restoration, and forgiveness.  For all this we pray, in Jesus's name.       AMEN.

Thanks for letting me share.