Psalm 36:5-12 - "Your Love Oh Lord"

Psalm 36:5-12

1 

5 Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,
    your faithfulness to the skies.
6 Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
    your justice like the great deep.
    You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.
7 How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
    People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house;
    you give them drink from your river of delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life;
    in your light we see light.

10 Continue your love to those who know you,
    your righteousness to the upright in heart.
11 May the foot of the proud not come against me,
    nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 See how the evildoers lie fallen—
    thrown down, not able to rise!

This morning as I was praying I had a picture come to my mind that was a bit unsettling.  I was in the car taking my Momma for therapy and was hit broad sided.  Right away I prayed against that happening and thought of Psalm 36 where it talks about taking refuge in the shadow of His wings.  I love the comfort these words give.  Matthew Henry writes: "God's loving-kindness is precious to the saints. They put themselves under his protection, and then are safe and easy." As I think about that, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that when bad things happen such as a car accident, the Lord is there to give me exactly what I need.  I pray against such things happening but I know God doesn't always stop such things because there are lessons to be learned throughout our life. 

Yesterday I was explaining to my six-year granddaughter how we learn from mistakes we make.  She asked me how and I used the example of me using a recipe to make pancakes and putting in too much milk which would make them runny.  When I mess up recipes, the next time I use them I do them correctly and the food turns out good.  I'm not sure if she understood completely but I know her little mind was pondering what I said.  

When mistakes are made, He is there to love us through them.  Verse ten of this passage gives direction for believers.  Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.   Matthew Henry writes:

"Gracious souls, though still desiring more of God, never desire more than God. The benefit of holy ordinances is sweet to a sanctified soul, and strengthening to the spiritual and Divine life. But full satisfaction is reserved for the future state. Their joys shall be constant. God not only works in them a gracious desire for these pleasures, but by his Spirit fills their souls with joy and peace in believing. He quickens whom he will; and whoever will, may come, and take from him of the waters of life freely. May we know, and love, and uprightly serve the Lord; then no proud enemy, on earth or from hell, shall separate us from his love. Faith calleth things that are not, as though they were. It carries us forward to the end of time; it shows us the Lord, on his throne of judgment; the empire of sin fallen to rise no more."

Woo hoo!  I definitely want to know, love and serve the Lord with everything I am.  As I live my life in this manner, I am blessed with joy and peace.  I also am blessed with the knowledge that my faith in this life on earth will enable me to spend eternity with the Lord.  That is some exciting knowledge to have!  It is also knowledge that I need to share every time the Lord gives me an opportunity to do so.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for loving me, protecting me, and teaching me.  Father, as I start this day I pray for Your protection not only when we are in the car but throughout the day against anything that will be of harm against us.  I also pray for more joy and peace to flow from me for others to see.  Lord, thank You for My Refuge!  Amen.