Psalm 36

Before reading this devotional please read all of Psalm 36.

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,
    your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
    your justice like the great deep.
    You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.
How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
    People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
Psalm 36:5-7

When I read the Psalms and I learn about David (one of the writers of Psalms), I think to myself, “Wow, this guy is all over the place!” One minute he’s angry at God, asking God to “smite” his enemies, and then the next he’s writing about the love of God and how great He is to all. Can the brother make up his mind? Is God both loving to all and fiercely opposed to evil? Well, the answer is yes. David is not wrong when He writes about such tensions and or opposites. Although this may seem inconsistent, David actually writes about the consistent nature and endless capacity of a Holy God.

Although there are so much unfathomable wrongs in this world, God has given Himself as the only one capable of saving. No amount of effort on our part can eradicate sin or injustice because He is the only one able to do that. His loving kindness, justice, and righteousness knows no end and He extends Himself to us as solution to the problem of sin and evil in the world.

Friends, I hope you read this and are not discouraged. Although evil touches us all, we are not victims nor are we helpless. God gives us ways we can find life and even partner with Him for righteousness, justice, and revival for the world He loves:

1. Remain under His covering, protection, and wing. No matter what the Lord leads you to do, remain under His "wing" of leadership - verse 7
2. We can receive and take part in God’s abundance and goodness as we would at the world’s best buffet restaurant (without paying!!). If we know how to receive, we can give it away - verse 8
3. In Him is a fountain of life - verse 9
4. In His light, we are able to discern and know true light — He can be our “litmus” test or filter for righteousness. When we pursue the Lord and are immersed in His light we are able to know His heart for the world. We can do this by spending time in His Presence, studying His word and knowing His voice - verse 9
    

Prayer and Action Steps:

1. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the places of evil in the world that He wants to touch today. Pray that God would move in those places, that His light would expose the darkness and that He would bring justice.
2. Ask the Lord how He wants you to partner with Him for justice in this world.
3. Take some time today to feast from God’s abundance by asking Him for what He wants to give you today! He knows what you need—just ask and receive it! 
4. Listen to this oldie but goodie,  “Your Love Oh Lord” by Third Day and take in the words!