|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Release more of your blessings on those who are loyal to you (Psalm 36:10).
I have been asking God in 2022 to release an abundance of blessings on those following Jesus. I’m praying for financial prosperity, open doors to disciple, and prayers for healing answered.
There is an ebb and flow to God’s blessings. Everything seems discouraging, we don’t see God working, and then – revival. Our walk is never straight up, it is up and down, but while down, we hope for blessings.
Psalm 36 depicts the up and down of life.
Verses 1 through 4 are depressing.
David writes about rebellion. There are two opposite responses to God’s mercy. Some repent while others get mad.
It’s easy to find a social media post depicting the opposite of God’s righteousness. Post on the thread: “God speaks deeply to the conscience of the wicked, yet they are still eager to sin” (v. 1).
Okay, please don’t post. You will be ridiculed and perhaps banned from the posting site.
In verses 1 and 2, we find sin talking. Its conversation glorifies rebellion as no-consequences indulgence.
The Psalmist writes:
See how it flatters them making them unable to either detect or detest their sins. They are crooked and conceited, convinced they can get away with anything (v. 2).
Have you ever wondered why someone continues behavior that ruins relationships and health – while encouraging others to do the same?
They’ve been listening to sin!
Our culture promotes evil as good and good as evil. Debauchery opposes holiness. During a plague, why does our nation still turn away from God?
Are we having conversations with sin?
Verses 5 to 12 begin a different conversation focusing on the goodness of God. Instead of constantly complaining about evil, the Psalm shifts to the glories of God. King David, who writes Psalm 36, teaches that light shines brightest in dark places.
The fountain of life flows from you to satisfy me. In your light of holiness, we receive the light of revelation (v. 9)!
Psalm 36 uses a Hebrew word for mercy three times in verses 5, 7, and 10. In differing versions, the word is translated as lovingkindness, steadfast love, or mercy-seat. Mercy withholds the judgment that we deserve while offering forgiveness and the blessings of repentance.
Your mercy is limitless (v. 5).
How extravagant is your cherishing love (v. 7).
Lord, you keep pouring out your mercy on those who are near you. Release more of your blessings to those who are loyal to you (v. 10).
This is a better conversation. One that focuses on love, blessing, and unlimited mercy.
If you are frustrated in the compromise found in the church or discouragement in personal weakness, remember Psalm 36 – to not focus on judgment but on mercy!
God don’t let me be influenced by those who boast in evil. Don’t let mockers push me around. Don’t let me be discouraged by the sheer strength and volume of evil that surrounds me. Sin contaminates, those following it get so dirty that they can’t say no to destructive temptations. They get lost and unable to say yes to righteousness (vv. 11-12).
These last two verses in Psalm 36 describe the fate of those refusing God’s mercy.
Psalm 36 depicts two conversations. One toward mercy and the other toward self-destruction. I think it best to conclude this Interruption, not with the ending verses of Psalm 36, but by going back and reading the middle verse:
Your righteousness is unmovable, just like the mighty mountains. Your judgments are as full of wisdom as the oceans are full of water. Your tender care leaves no one forgotten (v. 6).
What conversation will you have in 2022?