"Your lovingkindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; Your judgments are like a great deep. O Lord, You preserve man and beast."
King David wondered if God had seen the morning news. He asks God, "how long will you look on? you have seen it, O Lord, do not keep silent" (Psalm 35:17, 22). Evil raged, and wicked people abounded everywhere. The wicked accused King David of being evil for doing what God calls right (35:20–21).
Unbelievers base truth on their own experience; whereas, believers know the truth through their experience with God. God gave David a message we need to hear. Sin speaks to the heart of the ungodly because they do not fear God (36:1). To fear God is multi-faceted. We fear (honor and respect) God by obeying the Bible because He is always right. We also fear (afraid of, or respect) God's judgment because his justice is fair and certain (36:1). Those who fail to fear God consider His delayed punishment on their actions as God's approval.
Sin whispers to ungodly and flatters them (pride): "You are good, or God would be punishing you (36:2). As a result, the wicked never realize their iniquity nor grow to hate their sin (36:2). They speak wickedness and deceit, cease to be wise, and fail to do what God calls good (36:3). The ungodly plan and use wickedness anytime it promises to deliver what they consider good for themselves. Those who do not fear God will eventually stop rejecting what God calls evil (36:4). The morning news is so disturbing because the ungodly fail to fear God.
God knows the news. When God delays answering our prayers, we need to pause and consider competing philosophies. We can focus all our attention on the sin and evil of others, or we can focus on God's lovingkindness, faithfulness, righteousness, and judgments (Psalm 36:1–6). Failing to focus on God's character allows sin to whisper to our hearts: "You know better than God what will make you happy."
Lord Jesus, I know You know what is happening. Without Your lovingkindness, I would be with those who fail to fear You. Thank you for reminding me that I have a choice. Wickedness can paralyze me with worry, or I can praise Your ubiquitous (seen everywhere) steadfast love (36:5–6). Your lovingkindness, faithfulness, righteousness, and judgments founded the world. In the end, the ungodly will lie defeated on the battlefield of your righteous judgment (36:5–9).
Lord, Your lovingkindness allowed me to see the truth. You forever keep your promises; you are always right, and Your judgments certain. Lord, I choose to take refuge in the shadow of Your wings (36:7). I will drink my fill of your abundant love from the river of Your delights (36:8). "For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light, we will see" (36:9).
Lord Jesus, please help me stay focused on your lovingkindness today when evil and wickedness surround me. "O continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, And Your righteousness to the upright in heart. Let not the foot of pride come upon me, And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away. There the doers of iniquity have fallen; They have been thrust down and cannot rise" (36:10–12). In Jesus' name, amen.
Daily Devotion
Ever wonder if God has seen the morning news?
Verse of the day Psalm 36:5–6 (NASB95)
"Your lovingkindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; Your judgments are like a great deep. O Lord, You preserve man and beast."
King David wondered if God had seen the morning news. He asks God, "how long will you look on? you have seen it, O Lord, do not keep silent" (Psalm 35:17, 22). Evil raged, and wicked people abounded everywhere. The wicked accused King David of being evil for doing what God calls right (35:20–21).
Unbelievers base truth on their own experience; whereas, believers know the truth through their experience with God. God gave David a message we need to hear. Sin speaks to the heart of the ungodly because they do not fear God (36:1). To fear God is multi-faceted. We fear (honor and respect) God by obeying the Bible because He is always right. We also fear (afraid of, or respect) God's judgment because his justice is fair and certain (36:1). Those who fail to fear God consider His delayed punishment on their actions as God's approval.
Sin whispers to ungodly and flatters them (pride): "You are good, or God would be punishing you (36:2). As a result, the wicked never realize their iniquity nor grow to hate their sin (36:2). They speak wickedness and deceit, cease to be wise, and fail to do what God calls good (36:3). The ungodly plan and use wickedness anytime it promises to deliver what they consider good for themselves. Those who do not fear God will eventually stop rejecting what God calls evil (36:4). The morning news is so disturbing because the ungodly fail to fear God.
God knows the news. When God delays answering our prayers, we need to pause and consider competing philosophies. We can focus all our attention on the sin and evil of others, or we can focus on God's lovingkindness, faithfulness, righteousness, and judgments (Psalm 36:1–6). Failing to focus on God's character allows sin to whisper to our hearts: "You know better than God what will make you happy."
Lord Jesus, I know You know what is happening. Without Your lovingkindness, I would be with those who fail to fear You. Thank you for reminding me that I have a choice. Wickedness can paralyze me with worry, or I can praise Your ubiquitous (seen everywhere) steadfast love (36:5–6). Your lovingkindness, faithfulness, righteousness, and judgments founded the world. In the end, the ungodly will lie defeated on the battlefield of your righteous judgment (36:5–9).
Lord, Your lovingkindness allowed me to see the truth. You forever keep your promises; you are always right, and Your judgments certain. Lord, I choose to take refuge in the shadow of Your wings (36:7). I will drink my fill of your abundant love from the river of Your delights (36:8). "For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light, we will see" (36:9).
Lord Jesus, please help me stay focused on your lovingkindness today when evil and wickedness surround me. "O continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, And Your righteousness to the upright in heart. Let not the foot of pride come upon me, And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away. There the doers of iniquity have fallen; They have been thrust down and cannot rise" (36:10–12). In Jesus' name, amen.