VISIBLY BLESSED!

THE UNSURPASSABLE PRIVILEGE OF KNOWING GOD’S EVERLASTING LOVE

Read the psalm

Psalm 36:7-12

7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

8 They feast on the abundance of your house,

and you give them drink from the river of your delights.

9 For with you is the fountain of life;

in your light do we see light.

10 Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you,

and your righteousness to the upright of heart!

11 Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me,

nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.

12 There the evildoers lie fallen;

they are thrust down, unable to rise. 

After having seen the difference between the believer and the unbeliever, and having been reminded of how God takes care of His own, the children of God are now invited by David to find refuge in their Savior.

God is loving, God is faithful, God is righteous, God is wise and God saves!

As we look at the response of the Psalmist to these, we should ask ourselves if we are reflecting on and rejoicing in these same truths.

We have the unsurpassable privilege of knowing the reality of God’s everlasting love.

Romans 8:38-39

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Romans 5:8

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

Ephesians 2:4-5

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 

We can take refuge in His love! As we live in the shadow of our omnipotent God, we find care, delight, direction, hope, and life.

Peter had made his choice.

John 6:67-69

So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” 

Are we equally resolved and convinced that there are no alternatives? Does our life show it, in our decisions and reactions?

Despite these blessings of the Lord, David knew that there was always a danger from the arrogant and the wicked to rob him of his joy.  He knew that he needed God’s protection.

The writer’s dependence and love for God is very clear. He desires to continue to enjoy the love of God and live in complete submission and dependence upon Him.

Let’s resolve to not allow the cares of this world, the behavior of men, or even our inner passions to drive us away from God. May our lives be visible hymns to the grace of God and to His care for us!

Take time to reread the psalm and to pray through it!