Wickedness Outweighed By A Litany of Love
Toni M. Babcock
As believers, it’s easy to get discouraged by the words and the malevolence of those who seek to attack the faithful and do them harm. David in the Psalms described the character of the one who hates the followers of God.
“…Dread of God has no effect on him. For with his flattering opinion of himself, he does not discover and hate his iniquity. The words from his mouth are malicious and deceptive; he has stopped acting wisely and doing good. Even on his bed he makes malicious plans. He sets himself on a path that is not good, and he does not reject evil.” (Psalm 36:1-4 CSB)
Nothing has changed in the three- thousand or so years since then has it?
It’s telling to note what follows David’s litany of the wicked. He doesn’t follow it with a list of the glorious attributes of righteous men. David knows we’d be nothing were it not for God, so he begins and ends with God — convinced only the light of God will scatter the darkness of evil.
“LORD, your faithful love reaches to heaven, your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your judgments like the deepest sea. LORD, you preserve people and animals. How priceless your faithful love is, God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They are filled from the abundance of your house. You let them drink from your refreshing stream. For the wellspring of life is with you. By means of your light we see light.” (Psalm 36:5-9 CSB)
Wickedness is outweighed by a litany of Love.
Lord, may we always shine the light of Christ in spite of the opposition we encounter in the world. Help us exalt your name and be ever mindful of your love and grace at work here below, for Your promises are fulfilled in all who put their trust in You. Amen.
T
oni is the author of The Stone Writer and Reflections from the Heart, in Light of the Gospel of Jesus. Contact
