Love that overcomes evil
Opening Prayer
God, give me Your perspective of what counts as success in this world.
Read Psalm 36:1–12
[1] For the director of music. Of David the servant of the LORD. I have a message from God in my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before their eyes. [2] In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin. [3] The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful; they fail to act wisely or do good. [4] Even on their beds they plot evil; they commit themselves to a sinful course and do not reject what is wrong. [5] Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. [6] Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, LORD, preserve both people and animals. [7] How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. [8] They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. [9] For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. [10] Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart. [11] May the foot of the proud not come against me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away. [12] See how the evildoers lie fallen- thrown down, not able to rise! Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What perspective helps the psalmist?The first four verses sound like the psalmist trying to reassure himself that the wicked life is nothing to be envious of. Probably the main reason why you would tell yourself this is that you are envious of it. But it is a life consumed with plotting (even in bed, 4—there is literally no rest for the wicked). The problem pierces the psalmist deep in his heart (1, although other translations think it is the wicked heart in view here). Then verses 5–9 draw us back to the bigger world-sized picture of God, and of God’s love and faithfulness. My troublesome friend or colleague in verses 1–4 may be a big problem, in their own way, but just look at the scale of the mountains or the great depths of the sea, by contrast. There is hope for everyone, great or small (7). Hence the contrast in the conclusion: stick with us, Lord, and do not let the evildoers give us a beating (10,11). This psalm will make most sense to those of us in troubled circumstances. So then, that’s most of us.
Apply
Find a refuge with God from your difficulties. Is it a walk? A visit? A retreat? Be purposeful to create the space for God.
Closing prayer
Lord of life, You are good and You will bring about good for all who trust in You.
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