Closer Day 8 | Psalm 36
Read: Read Psalm 36
Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes.2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated.3 The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and do good.4 He plots trouble while on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good;
he does not reject evil.5 Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O Lord.7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.8 They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.
10 Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your righteousness to the upright of heart!11 Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.12 There the evildoers lie fallen; they are thrust down, unable to rise.
Reflect:
In this Psalm, David provides a contrast between the wickedness of man and the righteousness of God. He describes the sinfulness of the human heart that lacks a healthy fear of God. The words of those who have turned against God are deceitful, full of lies and foolishness. Even at rest, they plot new ways to justify their evil, and they ultimately elevate themselves above God. Instead of speaking to God’s judgment at this point, which he has done in previous Psalms and would be fair to do now, David shares a message of hope in the immensity of God. He praises God’s love that reaches the heavens, His righteousness that is grounded in mighty mountains, His faithfulness that spans the skies, and His justice that is anchored in the deep. God provides sustenance for man and beast and gives abundant life to those who come to Him and drink.
David faced similar struggles that we face today. One in particular is when we see people who prosper with no fear of God. They often do whatever it takes for their own personal gain and always seem to come out on top. At the same time, many who fear the Lord and obey God’s commands seem to never get ahead. What do we do with this tension? How should we respond? David provides a great example.
Our response should never be one of bitterness, envy, or jealousy. It should be one of gratitude for God’s priceless love demonstrated through Jesus. It should be in the eternal life we are given when we put our faith in Jesus. It should be confidence in the God who created all things and promises to meet our every need. It should be in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit who lives inside of us. Jesus alone satisfies and sustains, not the things of this world.
Prayer:
Pray that God would help you resist being jealous, envious, or bitter towards those who prosper through selfish or ungodly means. Thank God for providing for your needs (maybe not your wants), but always your needs! Praise God that one day we will feast with Jesus in abundance and forever enjoy Him in the absence of sin and its devastation.
This devotional is part of our Closer: 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. Our hope is that this will assist you in focusing your heart each day. To learn more or to get caught up, click here.