It is the difference between real and substitute. I remember the first time I had real whipped cream. I had loved coolwhip until I had homemade whipped cream. The difference was night and day but one I hadn't ever known existed until someone introduced me to it. Same story came along with maple syrup. We had been inspired to make our own from our maples in the woods. Mrs. Butterworth can pack her bags from home. I can't go back. I don't mean to be a snob but there are certain things in life that real is better than the substitute. The principle points to our lives with or without God. He is the real thing but the world is full of watered down substitutes. Most people don't think they are wicked but until they are contrasted with God's pure goodness than they never know. And how will they even know that the option is available? It is how other Christians introduce them to the real thing. We need to live our lives from the supply of the real things so that others may see and know and learn to trust the Lord. Verses 1-4 give us indicators for how a wicked person operates. Verses 5-10 answer back to describe how God operates in His encompassing goodness. His goodness is indescribable, unfathomable, and available for everyone. Won't you examine your life to make sure you are choosing the real thing?
Psalm 36 Questions -
1. Do you really fear God or has God's qualities of love and mercy overshadowed his equal qualities of justice and wrath?
2. When is the last time you've asked God to reveal a sin in your life? Do you think so highly of yourself that you'd never do _____ or be like that. Have you ever said, "I just don't understand how someone could ______". Do we flatter ourself to think we could be above a sin without God's grace to protect us from that?
3. Are you doing good for others or for your own benefits? Have you had more instances of "why did I do that?" than "I am glad I did that"? Are you seeking His wisdom on what you should be doing with your time and resources? Do you lie awake at night figuring out your agenda for the next day or dedicating your day to His service?
4. Do you reject what is wrong? Or do you tolerate it, ignore it, or even accept it in indirect ways? How do you decipher what is right and wrong? God's law or our cultures definition?
5. Is there something about you that others reject or is unlovable? How far does God's love reach out to you?
6. Has everyone let you down? How high up does God's faithfulness go?
7. Have you tried everything in your own might to make a wrong right? What does God's righteousness liken to? What are its qualities?
8. Have you been treated unfairly? To what depth does God's justice go?
9. Who can find refuge in God, feast in His abundance and drink from His river of delights? What are these abundances and delights? What hope does this bring you?
10. What is still in the dark and seemingly unattainable? Can His light illuminate a darkness inside you?
11. If you were to drink from the fountain of life, what benefits would you get?
12. How do you pray for others? Is it proactive or reactive to circumstances?
13. What makes you confident in evils inability to come against you?
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