Tag Archives: the book of Psalms

“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.” (Psalm 36:5-6, NIV)

When we take the time to look around us, it is easy to be impressed by God’s virtuosity. The twinkling stars and other heavenly bodies mystify and fascinate us as much today as they did in David’s time. On earth, the plants of the earth purify the air we breath, delight our eyes with their buds and flowers, and nourish our bodies as food. We also have a common Creator with all of the animals, whether wild or domesticated — and He preserves all.

Beware of becoming a “practical atheist” through inattention to all that is around us. Look up; look around — and believe.  – Luther

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“Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.” (Psalm 37:1-2, NIV)

Today’s scripture from the psalms reminds us of two important things: (1) To not fret because of the deeds of evil people; and (2) to not be envious of those who prosper in wrong-doing.

Sadly, there are some in our society who promote lawlessness.  

Worse still, there are others who envy the fruit of lawlessness (e. g. ill-gotten wealth, cheap fame, stolen influence). For these individuals, the adage, “crime doesn’t pay,” is not supported by the evidence.

The scripture reminds us not to fret because of such people.  Yes, they are a source of senseless pain.  Yes, they do destroy and leave nothing in its place. Do not fret, we are told, because they will not endure.

God has not forgotten the righteous.  In the meantime, follow the words of John Wesley (1703-1791): “Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.”  – Luther 

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“The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1, NIV)

At my 92-year old grandmother’s wake, her pastor noted that she would often quote today’s psalm; pause for effect; then answer confidently: “Nobody!”

If we live in the light of the Lord, we need not fear those who lurk in the darkness.  Though the agents of evil may snare us, the length of our captivity is limited, and our liberation is assured. 

Whom shall we fear? “Nobody!”  – Luther

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