Psalm 36:1-12

We live in a world that is cursed by sin and inhabited by sinful men; however, while we live in this world we are under the care of the all mighty God who is loving and gracious towards us.  These two contrasting realities should give us cause for sober mindedness as well as bring us great comfort.  It is important that we remember both of these truths in order to maintain a proper balance in our lives. If we focus only on God’s love we will be easy prey for the evil men around us and we will be far more likely to fall into their traps or be overcome by temptation for which we are unprepared.  If we focus only on man’s sin we will become overwhelmed with anxiety and fear.  We must learn to live in this world as it is and not according to our wishful thinking.  One day we will be free from all evil and sin but that day is not yet upon us.  Until them we must strive to keep a proper balance in our minds.

THE REALITY OF EVIL MEN SHOULD WARN US: There are many people with whom we share this planet that have no fear of God within them.  Sin reigns unchecked in their hearts because they ignore God and pretend that He does not exist.  He lives as if he is responsible to no one but himself and has convinced himself that there are no consequences for his actions.  He speaks evil, spreads evil to others and has given up on pleasing God altogether.  He dreams of how he can delight himself in the sins of this world.  We all know that these people are in the world but sometimes we would rather just ignore this fact.  It is foolish to forget the reality of sin around us because it represents a very clear and present danger in our lives.  We must constantly warn ourselves about the sin that surrounds us so that we can avoid being overcome or surprised by it.


THE REALITY OF GOD’S LOVE SHOULD WARM US: In all honesty, we must admit that every one of our hearts are evil and but for the grace of God we would fit their description.  However, God is full of grace, love and mercy that is higher than the stars above us, greater than largest mountain and deeper than the sea.  He has saved us from sin and covered us with His everlasting love we can take refuge in Him like a young bird snuggled under the wings of its mother.  He abundantly provides every one of our needs from His endless supply.  He gives us hope of eternal life and illuminates our path so that we can bask in the joy of obedience to Him.  His love overcomes the vilest evil that this world has to offer and we can rejoice in that protection.  We must beware of evils presence but be warmed by God’s protection.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Isaiah 54:1-17

Hope is a wonderful blessing from God, without which we would be vulnerable to all kinds of destructive tendencies in our lives.  Today’s society is marked by depression, anger, fear, anxiety and self-righteousness, in large part, because of the sense of hopelessness that prevails in our culture.  Isaiah writes to a people who are about to be taken into captivity because of their sin.  God knows that they will feel rejected, threatened and hopeless so He reveals His future plans for the nation in order to give them hope in the midst of the coming trial.  Hope is the expectation of good based upon the promises of God.  Many times when our lives are marked by the sins mentioned above it is because we have forgotten or failed to focus upon the promises of God’s Word. THE PROMISE OF GOD: From the very first day that God revealed His plan for the nation of Israel, He promised numerous descendants.  God chose Abraham, not because he was more righteous than a...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:3-7

I thank God   whom I serve, as did my ancestors,   with a clear conscience, as I remember you   constantly in my prayers night and day.    As I remember your tears,   I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.    I am reminded of   your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and   your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.    For this reason I remind you   to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us   a spirit not of fear but   of power and love and self-control. It is easy for us to forget many important things especially in the face of difficulty or danger.  Paul is in prison and Timothy is facing difficult times in ministry so there are important reminders that Paul wants to make sure that Timothy understands.  God has given us everything we need to face the difficulties He allows i...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:8-14

Therefore   do not be ashamed of   the testimony about our Lord, nor of   me his prisoner, but   share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,   who saved us and   called us to a holy calling,   not because of our works but because of   his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus   before the ages began, and which now has   been manifested through   the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus,   who abolished death and   brought life and   immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But   I am not ashamed, for   I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until   that day   what has been entrusted to me.  Follow   the pattern of   the sound words   that you have heard from me, in   the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ...
Read more