Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 36 NET, Ch. 37 HCSB, Ch. 38 GWT

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Thoughts

Psalm 36 reaffirms something for me that I have often thought of. In verses 1-5, David talks about the evil man, and how he acts…what he does. And in verse 4, David says, “He plans ways to sin while he lies in bed; he is committed to a sinful lifestyle; he does not reject what is evil.”

Now, I am far from perfect. In fact, there are times that I feel, like the Apostle Paul, that I am the chief of sinners. But I am constantly amazed by how thieves and liars devise schemes. When I hear how they do things to accomplish their evil deeds, I can hardly believe it. How do they come up with such twisted plans? I could never think that way. It’s incredible!

When, for example, I hear about some scheme that someone used to embezzle money or con some old person out of their life savings, I am shocked at how they did it. My mind just doesn’t work that way. I mean, they had to really think in great detail to come up with their plans. My mind just doesn’t work that way.

Please don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying that I’m without sin. It’s just that my brain just doesn’t think like that. Maybe I’m not smart enough. 

I like to think, though, that because the Holy Spirit lives in me, He protects me from such thoughts. 

As a matter of fact, in chapter 37 verse 4, David says, “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires.”

The way I understand that verse, David is not saying that God will give you whatever you want, but that if you delight in Him, He will cause your heart to desire what pleases Him. He will give you your heart’s desires.

I have my own share of failures, to be sure. But in my half-century of following Him, I have discovered, like David, that real joy is found in staying as close as I can to God. And I am so very thankful that I am his.

Beloved, if you don’t have that kind of relationship with Him, I encourage you with everything that is in me to reach out to Him now and ask Him to give you a thirst to know Him, to follow Him, to delight in Him.