Awakening

I have a message from God in my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before their eyes. (Psalm 36:1, NIV)

Lord, help me remember there are two types of people: those who are in awe of You and those who are not. There are so many things happening around us that are shockingly evil. We wonder, “How could anyone do that?” You provide the answer here: they do not respect You or Your standard of right and wrong. They are lost, moving through life in spiritual darkness.

In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin. (Psalm 36:2, NIV)

It is true, Father, that when You are not on the throne of a person’s heart they put themselves there. Many people reject or ignore You, insisting they do not have a Creator and do not need a moral guide or a Savior. They set their own moral code and declare themselves righteous. They justify their actions and have no outside accountability. They are deceived by Satan, who wants to keep all people from finding far more life in You.

The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful; they fail to act wisely or do good. (Psalm 36:3, NIV)

Without Your insight and guidance, God, they adopt beliefs, thoughts, feelings, and actions that are self-serving. They follow what is wise in their own eyes, disregarding Your wisdom. They cannot do or be good because they lack Your goodness. their perspective and understanding are limited. They are blind to present and future realities that are clearly visible to You.

Even on their beds they plot evil; they commit themselves to a sinful course and do not reject what is wrong. (Psalm 36:4, NIV)

You know every person’s thoughts and plans, LORD. You also know our nature; we are prone to listen to Satan’s whispers that justify wrong. Sadly, people believe the lie that they have gone too far to turn back. Not seeing the hope and help You offer, they are drawn further into wickedness.

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. (Psalm 36:5, NIV)

Thank you, Father, for being more loving and more faithful than we can understand. You offer forgiveness for every wrong we commit; there is nothing too sinful for Jesus’ blood to cover. We cannot fully comprehend such lavish love. And the faithfulness you show Your children overwhelms us with far more life. We know we do not deserve it. We are in awe of You.

Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals. (Psalm 36:6, NIV)

Just as high mountains tower over us, LORD, your righteousness is immense. Your holiness is solid and cannot be moved or shifted. Like the oceans, Your justice is too vast for us to fathom. You see through actions and motives and never make a wrong judgment. You will not allow wickedness to go unpunished, and we trust You to exact justice at the perfect time. Thank you for preserving us from being overrun by evil. Thank you for offering us far more life even as we live imperfectly in this unrighteous temporary home called earth.

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. (Psalm 36:7, NIV)

We praise You, Heavenly Father, for offering us a place of refuge. Your love and protection are priceless gifts. We are safe with You, even as danger surrounds us.

They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. (Psalm 36:8, NIV)

You fill our hearts with the fruit of Your Holy Spirit. There is never a shortage of moral goodness available to Your children. We can turn to you as often as needed to refill our hearts and minds with Your perspective so we can reflect Your holiness. When we are filled with You, we overflow with far more life that benefits everyone around us.

For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. (Psalm 36:9, NIV)

God, You are our source of life and light. You awaken our spirit and pull our hearts toward the righteous path in every situation we face. In every spiritual battle we encounter You provide all we need for life and godliness. May we always look to You!

Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart. (Psalm 36:10, NIV)

We are thankful that nothing can separate us from Your love, Holy Father. We rest in the knowledge that nothing can remove Your Spirit from us. Once You accept and forgive us, we belong to You forever.

May the foot of the proud not come against me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away. (Psalm 36:11, NIV)

We know that Your enemies are now our enemies. We live in a battle zone where there are constant attempts to drive us from You. Thank you for thwarting the attacks we cannot withstand. Thank you for giving us strength for the battle and Your power to overcome. With You, we are victorious! You empower us to reveal Your glory!

See how the evildoers lie fallen—thrown down, not able to rise! (Psalm 36:12, NIV)

You have promised that one day You will put an end to evil. We long for that day! We pray for the return of Jesus so that righteousness will again rule the earth. We are eager to experience the paradise that You are preparing to share with us. Free from the pull of sin. Free from the presence of evil. Full of purity and far more life. Come quickly, Lord Jesus! Amen.

Sisters,
What situation has recently reminded you that there is no fear of God in some people?
How do you view and respond to those who are blind to righteousness?
How have you experienced God’s love? Faithfulness? Righteousness? Justice?
How has God been your provider of life and light?
Praise God for the awakening far more life in you!
-Shari

Copyright 2021, Shari Damaso