Day 214: Psalm 36- The wide open Space of Grace

Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes. 2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated. 3 The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and do good. 4 He plots trouble while on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not reject evil.
 
5 Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. 6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O Lord. 7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. 8 They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
 
9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. 10 Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your righteousness to the upright of heart! 11 Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away. 12 There the evildoers lie fallen; they are thrust down, unable to rise.
 
 
Meditation
The contrasts and conflicts of our lives is a canvas the Lord uses to paint a picture of His steadfast love. In our sanctification we live mingled realities of rebellion and righteousness but God’s covenant faithfulness invites us to be renewed in a wide-open place of grace.
 
Verses 1-4 articulate the rebellion and wickedness of humanity: transgression and wickedness in our heart, self-flattery, hatred of others, deceit from our mouths, planning problems, and not rejecting evil. The dark valley of rebellion is a reality for every sinful heart (Romans 1:28-3:20).
 
Verses 5-9 invite us  into restoration through the wide-open place of God’s grace. His steadfast love extends to the Heavens and faithfulness to the clouds. His righteousness is like the mountains and grace deep like the oceans. God’s grace offers refuge with feasting on His faithfulness, drinking from the River of Life, frolicking in the fountain of His covenant care, and walking in His light. Righteousness and restoration are available in the wide-open space of God’s grace.
 
The broad space of grace invites us to live more fully and fruitfully. We respond to the invitation through calling upon the Lord to continue His steadfast love (10), to uphold the righteousness of our hearts (19), to keep us humbly dependent on Him (11), and to mercifully keep us from evil (12). This is an invitation to live as restored humanity. Will you respond to this invitation with faith in God’s promises? God wants to paint a picture of His steadfast love on the canvas of your life.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Where do you see the contrast of our heart, the mingled reality of your rebellion and God’s righteousness? Are you content in this place?
 
-The wide-open space of God’s grace invites you to a fuller humanity, a restoration into His image. Which image from the Psalm resonates most with your longings for life?
 
-Turn verses 10-12 into a personal prayer. Use the language of scripture for a fuller life of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
 
Key Verse
 
5 Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. 6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O Lord