Psalm 68 (KJV):1-16: let them exceedingly rejoice

From Psalms

Psalm 68
(For the director of music.  Of David.  A psalm.  A song.)

¹Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered:
      let them also that hate him flee before him.
²As smoke is driven away,
      so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire,
      so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
³But let the righteous be glad;
      let them rejoice before God:
      yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.

⁴Sing unto God, sing praises to his name:
      extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH,
      and rejoice before him.
⁵A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows,
      is God in his holy habitation.
⁶God setteth the solitary in families:
      he bringeth out those which are bound with chains:
      but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

⁷O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people,
      when thou didst march through the wilderness;             Selah:
⁸The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God:
      even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God,
      the God of Israel.
⁹Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain,
      whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.
¹⁰Thy congregation hath dwelt therein:
      thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.

¹¹The Lord gave the word:
      great was the company of those that published it.
¹²Kings of armies did flee apace:
      and she that tarried at home divided the spoil.
¹³Though ye have lien among the pots,
      yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver,
      and her feathers with yellow gold.
¹⁴When the Almighty scattered kings in it,
      it was white as snow in Salmon.

¹⁵The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan;
      an high hill as the hill of Bashan.
¹⁶Why leap ye, ye high hills?
      this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in;
      yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever.

I can't believe it's been so long since my last entry.  Let's just say the holiday season bring a different kind of busy-ness and distractions with them.  As with every experience in life it brings an opportunity to grow, and grow closer to God.  This year's holiday season brought the opportunity to look at the holidays from a new perspective, through the movie, "What would Jesus buy?" which tries to show that the love of Christmas does not have to be demonstrated by giving expensive presents.

But I digress.  The holidays came and went with new and unique temptations, which through God's help I managed.  Most of all the Holidays gave me an opportunity to exceedingly rejoice in God's love, and praise his name.  A father to the fatherless, preparing goodness for the poor, did send plentiful rain.  Indeed, His love is great.  These first 16 verses ring true of what Christmas is meant to be - what God wants for us.  Peace on earth, good will to men.  A chance to praise and thank God for His gifts.  For addicts and alcoholics it gives an opportunity to thank God for the gift of sobriety - and to look forward to a new year and new experiences as we journey down the 12 steps together.

Thanks for letting me share.