A Contrast...

It was with a broken and convicted heart that I read Psalm 16 today.

Psalm 16
A Mikhtam of David.

Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You.
I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord;
I have no good besides You."
As for the saints who are in the earth,
They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.
The sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied;
I shall not pour out their drink offerings of blood,
Nor will I take their names upon my lips.
The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You support my lot.
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.
I will bless the LORD who has counseled me;
Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.
I have set the LORD continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will dwell securely.
For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol;
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.
You will make known to me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

The contrasts to the portions in bold:

*I've challenged You to manage to preserve me, O God, for I have not been taking refuge in You. I know I have no good besides You, but I've been too busy looking at me to notice the good that You are.

*Instead of focusing on the wonderful inheritance You have for me, and appreciating the beautiful heritage You've given, I have focused on the pain and hurts in my life.

*Instead of setting the LORD continually before me, I have set myself. Because I have pulled away from His side, I have been greatly shaken. Therefore my heart is bowed down and overburdened, rejoicing is scarce, and I am full of fear and insecurity.

*Though You long to make known to me the path of life, to give me fullness of joy and pleasures forever, I have not been at Your right hand or in Your presence. I have refused the blessings You long to give.

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." Psalm 51:17

JOHN DONNE ~ HOLY SONNET XIV.
Batter my heart, three-person'd God ; for you

As yet but knock ; breathe, shine, and seek to mend;

That I may rise, and stand, o'erthrow me, and bend

Your force, to break, blow, burn, and make me new.

I, like an usurp'd town, to another due,

Labour to admit you, but O, to no end.

Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,

But is captived, and proves weak or untrue.

Yet dearly I love you, and would be loved fain,

But am betroth'd unto your enemy ;

Divorce me, untie, or break that knot again,

Take me to you, imprison me, for I,

Except you enthrall me, never shall be free,

Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.