Psalm 36
Psalm 36
Transgression speaks to the wicked
deep in their hearts;
there is no fear of God before their eyes.
For they flatter themselves in their own eyes
that their iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
The words of their mouths are mischief and deceit;
they have ceased to act wisely and do good.
They plot mischief while on their beds;
they are set on a way that is not good;
they do not reject evil.
Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your judgments are like the great deep;
you save humans and animals alike, O Lord.
How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.
O continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
and your salvation to the upright of heart!
Do not let the foot of the arrogant tread on me,
or the hand of the wicked drive me away.
There the evildoers lie prostrate;
they are thrust down, unable to rise.
His love is the light that guides us all in these dark times. His salvation and grace illuminate the way before us. In darkness, in uncertain times, His light overcomes. His love overcomes.
His love for us is steadfast. It is sure. It is everlasting. It is not dependent on what we do right, it is not taken away by what we do wrong. While we were still sinners, He sent His Son to die for us (Romans 5:8).
In Him, we are loved; we are forgiven. His light is radiant in this world that feels so dark right now. He still illuminates hope, He still sheds grace and life among all who believe.
It is cloudy today; it will probably rain or storm later. Many of my loved ones are returning to work and exposing themselves again. I am coming to terms with not ending the year with my students. I am facing packing up my room alone without the excitement of summer or the sense of accomplishment that usually accompanies this time of year. I am left feeling a little lost today. I am left feeling worried about those I love and anxious about the coming days, weeks and months ahead because it feels a bit endless. It feels almost hopeless.
But hope is not lost. Love is here with me right now and that's exactly what I need. I need His perfect love to consume me. There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear...(1 John 4:18). After all, He did not give us a spirit of fear, but one made of power and love (2 Timothy 1:7).
Some days darkness tries to creep in. Some days it may even feel like its winning. But take heart, because He is our Light. He is love. God is the light, and there is no darkness at all in Him...But if we live in the light - just as He is in the light - then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from every sin (1 John 1:5-7).
He is the light. His light radiates His abundant love for us. His light drives away the darkness and sinfulness that often consumes us. His light leads the way before us when everything feels so unknown and uncertain.
Today in all my worries I will chose His light. I will turn my eyes away from the darkness of this world because the Light has overcome it. I will not be consumed by loss and fear and dread; I will rest in His steadfast love and His Light that illuminates every good thing. I will rest in His endless love; this love that always drives out darkness; this love that shines bright for the world through the riches of His sacrifice.
Transgression speaks to the wicked
deep in their hearts;
there is no fear of God before their eyes.
For they flatter themselves in their own eyes
that their iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
The words of their mouths are mischief and deceit;
they have ceased to act wisely and do good.
They plot mischief while on their beds;
they are set on a way that is not good;
they do not reject evil.
Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your judgments are like the great deep;
you save humans and animals alike, O Lord.
How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.
O continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
and your salvation to the upright of heart!
Do not let the foot of the arrogant tread on me,
or the hand of the wicked drive me away.
There the evildoers lie prostrate;
they are thrust down, unable to rise.
His love is the light that guides us all in these dark times. His salvation and grace illuminate the way before us. In darkness, in uncertain times, His light overcomes. His love overcomes.
His love for us is steadfast. It is sure. It is everlasting. It is not dependent on what we do right, it is not taken away by what we do wrong. While we were still sinners, He sent His Son to die for us (Romans 5:8).
In Him, we are loved; we are forgiven. His light is radiant in this world that feels so dark right now. He still illuminates hope, He still sheds grace and life among all who believe.
It is cloudy today; it will probably rain or storm later. Many of my loved ones are returning to work and exposing themselves again. I am coming to terms with not ending the year with my students. I am facing packing up my room alone without the excitement of summer or the sense of accomplishment that usually accompanies this time of year. I am left feeling a little lost today. I am left feeling worried about those I love and anxious about the coming days, weeks and months ahead because it feels a bit endless. It feels almost hopeless.
But hope is not lost. Love is here with me right now and that's exactly what I need. I need His perfect love to consume me. There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear...(1 John 4:18). After all, He did not give us a spirit of fear, but one made of power and love (2 Timothy 1:7).
Some days darkness tries to creep in. Some days it may even feel like its winning. But take heart, because He is our Light. He is love. God is the light, and there is no darkness at all in Him...But if we live in the light - just as He is in the light - then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from every sin (1 John 1:5-7).
He is the light. His light radiates His abundant love for us. His light drives away the darkness and sinfulness that often consumes us. His light leads the way before us when everything feels so unknown and uncertain.
Today in all my worries I will chose His light. I will turn my eyes away from the darkness of this world because the Light has overcome it. I will not be consumed by loss and fear and dread; I will rest in His steadfast love and His Light that illuminates every good thing. I will rest in His endless love; this love that always drives out darkness; this love that shines bright for the world through the riches of His sacrifice.
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them (1 John 4:16).
Comments