Psalm 36
Sunday, 22 November 2020
“How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.” -Psalm 36:7 [NIV]
In Psalm 36, the Psalmist differentiates God’s nature such as love, faithfulness and justice with sinful and evil heart of men and women. The fallen nature of men is revealed in first four verses and God’s kindness and love highlighted in the ensuing verses followed by prayer to be kept from the wicked.
It is not the imperfections in faith but the negligence of the existence of God that brings in wickedness. No human can claim perfection or holiness as the Bible says “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”(Romans 3:23). But 1 John 1:7 reveals that “The blood of Jesus, His Son purifies us from all sin.” So we are not sinless but made blameless through the blood of Christ. The negligence of God will lead men to crime, sinful nature and a lawless state. Where there is no fear of God rebellion creeps in. It was rebellion that brought down Lucifer and all the fallen angels.
Disregarding God and His principles lead men to wickedness. Psalm 14:1: “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” Wicked ones have no regard for the commands of God: in their hearts they possess nothing but rebellion. Men’s sins are the outer index of an inner evil. Wicked ways will only lead to failure and destruction.
But our Father in heaven has shown to the whole world the way of obedience through His Son Jesus Christ. The Bible highlights: Jesus was obedient even to the point of death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). When we fear God and trust Him, we can rest assured of His love that reaches to the heavens and His faithfulness that reaches to the skies(Ps. 36:.5) He will surround us with His righteousness which is much more firm than the mighty mountains (V.6). He will care for us all throughout our life (V.7) and even after.
There is a warning for the wicked: just as men who don’t obey the laws of the land are punished, all men who live in wickedness and rebellion will one day be punished by the Judge of the Universe, Christ Jesus. Hebrews 9:27 says: “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment…” Those with no fear of God now, will for sure face the terror of hell in the future, being eternally separated from God.
But in Him is also the fountain of life (Ps.36:9)—Christ Jesus gives life everlasting to all who come to Him in faith and receive Him in their hearts. Of Jesus it is written in John 1:4: “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” Those who walk in the darkness of sin, when they come to His marvellous light can experience life everlasting. Romans 6:23 reminds us: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) It's our choice to continue to live in sin and face its consequences OR come to the light of Christ and live, experiencing His unfailing love, finding shelter under the shadow of His wings!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for Your unfailing love! Help me to live in reverence and in obedience to You and live eternally. Amen.
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