Psalm 36 is a 3,000-year-old depiction of two paths. More than literal trails, these are choices of the heart, ways of looking at the world and my brief time in it. With both choices come consequences. With either worldview, very real outcomes.
Path #1:
There is no fear of God before my eyes. Deep in my heart, transgression entices me toward wickedness. I flatter myself in my own eyes, becoming convinced that my iniquity will never be found out. Words of trouble and deceit flow easily and effortlessly from my mouth. I turn my back on wisdom, no longer concerned with doing good, especially if it involves denying myself. It seems almost natural to daydream of trouble. My conscience no longer compels me to reject evil. I’ve settled into the way that is not good.
The problem? My life has no enduring foundation. I’m enslaved to the taskmasters of my own moods, cravings, and circumstances. I find very little, if any reason to consistently live beyond myself. My earth-bound, self-centered perspective isn’t pretty or pleasant. The best “life” I can dream up on my own is a one-time opportunity to enjoy as much as I can. “Eat, drink, for tomorrow I die.”
Path #2:
The steadfast love of God is precious to me. I take refuge in the shadow of his wings. I “feast” on the abundance he provides and drink deeply from the river of his delights. With him is the fountain of life. In his light I see light.
The resulting blessing? My life has an enduring foundation. My purpose is clear: I exist to serve a God who is faithful, all-knowing, and full of compassion. As I taste and see his wisdom for living beyond myself, I experience authentic joy. Divine, eternal perspective defines a life that is blessed and full of hope. I still experience hardships, pains, and sorrows like everyone else “under the sun,” but I’m learning to treat them as the challenging steps of a refining pilgrimage toward an eternal weight of glory. “To live is God, and to die is gain” because there is more, so much more than what my eyes can see in the moment.
Psalm 36 is a 3,000-year-old description of two paths. In between the two is a remarkable description of the Creator who allows me to choose which path I will tread. Whatever my choice, he is. Whether I choose to fearfully acknowledge or foolishly ignore him, he is. Indeed, he is the greatest, most awesome Being in the universe. Just listen and slowly reflect on these glorious attributes…
His steadfast love extends to the heavens.
His faithfulness reaches the clouds.
His righteousness is like the mountains.
His judgments are comparable to the ocean depths.
Those are phrases worth remembering, meditating upon, and carrying with us throughout the week ahead. But before Psalm 36 concludes, it leads us to pray. After all, what better response could there be to the recognition of such glory and grace than to pray?
O LORD, continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
and your righteousness to the upright of heart!
Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me,
nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
There the evildoers lie fallen;
they are thrust down, unable to rise. (36:10-12)
Two paths, a glorious description of the God who is, and a few seeds for prayer.
May our hearts be wisely inclined to choose the path of righteousness. May we turn our feet away from the deceitful path of arrogant foolishness. May we recognize just how precious the steadfast love of God really is. May we take refuge in the shadow of his wings this week. May we feast today on the abundance of his house and drink deeply from the river of his delights. For with him is the fountain of life. In his glorious light we see the light of life.
Happy Lord’s day.