Read Psalms 36
Highlights:
David is persuaded to maintain confidence in God: inevitable destruction of the wicked; prayer of a penitent heart; brevity and vanity of life.
Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart (Ps. 37:4).
The loving desire of God is to gain first place in the hearts of men. He imparts His love to all who are willing to yield themselves to Him. As we yield to God, we become conformed to His likeness. We then discover great joy in loving the things God loves. However, to truly experience the love of God, we not only love the things He loves, but we learn to love as He loves. But, how do we know the love of Christ? God's love is unconditional, without wavering or faltering. He does not stop loving us when we sin because if He did we would all be lost. But, His love is demonstrated by what Jesus did on the cross. God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8). To know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God (Eph. 3:19).
The love of God is not the easiest thing to understand. It is not in our human nature to love like God does. It takes a change inside of us to make this happen. We learn to love not just in our heads but deep in our hearts. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first Commandment (Mark 12:30).
When God's desires become our desires, our prayers are answered. Such prayer is inspired of God who worketh in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Phil. 2:13). This happens as a result of God's will and our will coming together. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His Commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight (I John 3:22).
In doing His will, we become co-laborers with God which brings our deepest happiness. As we truly delight in the Lord, our thoughts of self-interest will become secondary. We must genuinely put the Lord first, choosing His will above our will. By submitting to Him as Lord, we step down off the throne of our lives and allow God to take His rightful place as our Creator and Loving Heavenly Father. Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up Thy throne to all generations. Selah (Ps. 89:4). Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour (Eph. 5:2).
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16).
Thought for Today:
Those who lose all for Christ will find all in Christ.
Christ Revealed:
As the Fountain of Life (and the) Light (Ps. 36:9). In Him was Life; and the Life was the Light of men. . . . That was the True Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world (John 1:4-9; comp. 4:10,14; Rev. 22:1).
Word Studies:
36:7 put their trust under, take refuge in; 38:2 Thy hand presseth me sore, your punishment presses heavily upon me; 38:8 roared, groaned with anguish; 38:11 sore, afflictions.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for our Military worldwide • Staff: Jennifer Cunningham Palafox, President, Bible Pathway Ministries • Country: Laos (5 million) in Southeast Asia • Major languages: Lao and French • Great suppression of all Christian activities • 58% Buddhist; 33% belief in spirits and ancestor worship; 2% Christian; 1% Muslim • Prayer Suggestion: Cry out to God in humility (Ps. 9:12).
Optional Reading: Colossians 4
NOTE: Bible Pathway covers the Old Testament with devotional and commentary insights over a nine-month period, January through September. Each day during these months, an optional reading of one chapter a day from the New Testament will also be listed. The October, November, and December issues will provide a daily commentary on the New Testament readings. Thus, the reader goes through the New Testament twice each year using the Bible Pathway plan.
Memory Verse for the Week: Revelation 22:12
