March 15, 2022

“An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes.” ps 36:1 nkjv

As we look around us in nearly all quarters of human civilization, we see turbulent events and resultant human suffering… as Yeshua described would come about near the end of days, as in Luke 21; from which I want to consider these words, “...and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth…” I think the term “the sea and waves roaring,” is referring to the “sea of humanity,” increasing turmoil like a coming storm. And of course, perplexity describes a condition without any hopeful escape… it can have very debilitating effect on people, especially those without the hope of Yahweh’s provision for deliverance.

When David wrote Psalms 36, he was reminding us of the lovingkindness of God, in the midst of the activity of wicked men who had no fear of God, and seemed to be prevailing. He says:

“for he [the wicked] flatters himself in his own eyes, When he finds out his iniquity and when he hates. 3 The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good. 4 He devises wickedness on his bed; He sets himself in a way that is not good; He does not abhor evil.” ps 36:2-4 nkjv

I think David could see (by his trust in God and His eternal faithfulness) that when the wicked seem to be flourishing and suppressing those upright in heart and faithful… that they will fall, being cast down, and then unable to rise… we patiently wait for that day. Let these words of David encourage you when the storms of life try to disrupt your inner peace…

“Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. 6 Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O Lord, You preserve man and beast.

7 “How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. 8 They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. 9 For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.

10 “Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, And Your righteousness to the upright in heart. 11 Let not the foot of pride come against me, And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away. 12 There the workers of iniquity have fallen; They have been cast down and are not able to rise.” ps 36:5-12 nkjv

Shalom... John