Nobody talks about it anymore

 

S. I. N. 

Nobody seems to talk about that anymore.

It's a quaint concept.

But so hurtful.

That messes with our self-esteem.

After all, we can't help it when things go wrong.

We had a painful childhood in a dysfunctional family.

We didn't have much money or other advantages.

Besides, people have hurt us and it's our right.

And the old standby: everybody else is doing it, too.

We are starting a study of Psalm 36 today. Take a moment to read it today and consider adding it to your quiet time every day. We have little guidance as to the circumstances in which David wrote this one. It could perhaps be his musings as he looked back upon his own life, or instructions as he looked at the lives of others. Like many proverbs, it includes a stark contrast and a choice: to live in the deceitfulness of sin, or to live in the delightfulness of God.

David starts off in a rather unusual way - he gives a reasoned analysis of the darkness of sin in the first four verses. Then here is the contrast: in the next four verses he focuses on the delight in God and the blessings available for His children. Then, a prayerful conclusion in the psalm, asking for God to continue His lovingkindness and to protect His children from wicked people.

I'll post Psalm 36 here for everyone to read, and we'll dig in next time.

I have a message from God in my heart
    concerning the sinfulness of the wicked:
There is no fear of God
    before their eyes.

 In their own eyes they flatter themselves
    too much to detect or hate their sin.
 The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful;
    they fail to act wisely or do good.
 Even on their beds they plot evil;
    they commit themselves to a sinful course
    and do not reject what is wrong.

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

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