Yesterday we finished up looking at Paul’s pastoral letters, Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. I began to think about what we should study next, and I wasn’t really sure.  I was first thinking about doing Luke, but we just walked through Mark not that long ago.  As I was pondering some more, I began to think about how much I love the Psalms.  

The Psalms have always been among my favorite parts of scripture. They are so honest, so beautiful, and can convey to us the very glory of God and the very heartbreak of humanity.  So, for the next while, we’ll be looking at one of the Psalms that are part of the daily office as found in the Book of Common Prayer.  This is the actual devotional guide that I use daily, and you can find each day’s suggested readings, and Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and Gospel by clicking here. 

The Psalm we’ll look at today is Psalm 36: 

1 Transgression speaks to the wicked
    deep in their hearts;
    there is no fear of God
    before their eyes.
2 For they flatter themselves in their own eyes
    that their iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
3 The words of their mouths are mischief and deceit;
    they have ceased to act wisely and do good.
4 They plot mischief while on their beds;
    they are set on a way that is not good;
    they do not reject evil.
5 Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
    your faithfulness to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
    your judgments are like the great deep;
    you save humans and animals alike, O Lord.
7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
    All people may 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 we see light.
10 O continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
    and your salvation to the upright of heart!
11 Do not let the foot of the arrogant tread on me,
    or the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 There the evildoers lie prostrate;
    they are thrust down, unable to rise.

Today we see two ways of looking at life. First, we see the path of the wicked.  Where do they look?  They look to themselves.  They flatter themselves in their own eyes. They look to themselves, their desires, their lusts, their stuff. 

They flatter themselves with their own eyes.  Truth comes from themselves, their desires, and their purpose.  

Now, look at the righteous.  Where do they look? They look to God, to God’s steadfast love. They look to God, to God’s purpose, to God’s desire, to God’s plan.  They look to God.  Instead of looking to themselves, they look to God. 

Where do you look today for truth?  For purpose.  For who you are?  Do we look to God and His wisdom, or do we look to ourselves?  

Where do we look today?  May we look to God and may we find His truth.  

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