Psalm 36:7-9 - The Fountain Of Life and Light.
Psalm 36:7-9 (NLT) How precious is your
unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in
the shadow of your wings. 8 You feed them from
the abundance of your own house, letting them
drink from your river of delights. 9 For you are
the fountain of life, the light by which we see.
WORD STUDY
The fountain of life. Life literally and
spiritually; life here and hereafter. God is the source
not only of life but of all that gives life
meaning. [SDA Bible Commentary]
"Fountain of life" is a vivid image of
fresh, cleansing water that gives life to the
spiritually thirsty. This same picture is used in
Jeremiah 2:13, where God is called the "fountain of
living water." Jesus spoke of himself as living
water that could quench thirst forever and give
eternal life (John 4:14). [Life Application SB]
In thy light. As God is the source of light,
only in Him can we see light. Apart from God, all
our understanding is only darkness. Our prayer
should be: What in me is dark, illumine
(Milton). [SDA Bible Commentary]
INTRODUCTION
It has been said that a picture is worth
a thousand words. In today's verses the
psalmist uses just a few words to paint some dramatic
pictures. With a series of metaphors this psalm
describes some of the many blessings for believers
because of God's character: His ever faithful, ever
loyal love is truly "out of this world" because it
is so great that it reaches beyond the clouds
and heavens. The Lord's righteousness is as
steady as the highest mountains, and his judgments
are as deep as the ocean. But the metaphor that
gives us the greatest insight into the heart of
God is in verse 7: we can find shelter in our
Lord just as baby chickens take refuge under the
shelter of the mother hen's wings. Because God loves
us, his arms are open to us today; all we have
to do is run to him, and he will provide
shelter and protection.
Your Unfailing Love, LORD, is as vast as
the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches beyond
the clouds. Your righteousness is as glorious as
the mighty mountain, and your justice is as deep
as the deepest ocean. Thank you for caring for
people and animals alike with your unfailing love.
Thank you for the shelter that I find in the
shadow of your wings. I rejoice because your
unfailing love is the most precious thing to me!
[Praying Through The Bible By Fuller re. vv. 5-7]
COMMENTARY
God's love is measureless. It is more: it is
boundless. It has no bounds because it is not a thing
but a facet of the essential nature of God. His
love is something he is, and because he is
infinite, that love can enfold the whole created world
in itself and have room for ten thousand times
ten thousand worlds beside. A. W. Tozer
(1897-1963)
As I sat praying not long ago, the Lord
impressed on my mind a person who was very dear to me.
I realized that even though at that moment I
couldn't draw that person to me for protection, the
Lord could"and would. The many times I feel
unable to fix a situation, I can trust that when I
turn it over to God, it will be fixed. We ask the
Lord for many things: protection, good health,
wisdom, and strength. We ask these things for
ourselves as well as for others, and he provides. But
I didn't always realize this.
For years I thought it was my duty to fix
everything myself. After all, that was part of my job
as a mother. When my children were young, I was
the mom who did it all. Later, I poured my
entire self into a career as a buyer for a large
retail organization. I traveled extensively and
often worked fifteen-hour days. I never asked the
Lord to help. Oh no, I could handle it.
Then one day the company to which I had
given so much went bankrupt. Without my job I
didn't know who I was or what to do. I couldn't fix
it, so I turned to my heavenly Father. Even
though I had shut him out for so many years, he was
still there. Now when I become overwhelmed with
concern for a person or a situation, I call on God's
unfailing love. I know he is always there, eager to
provide for us. by Linda Campbell a wife, mother,
grandmother, friend, and woman of God. [The One Year
Bible Live Verse Devotional re v. 7]
God offers the only real life there is. When
we give ourselves to Him and walk in the light
He provides us, in His Word and by His Spirit,
we begin to see more and more how we can enjoy
life to the fullest. [Life Principles SB By
Charles Stanley re. v. 7]
If your heart's lacking joy today, drink
deeply from God's promise (see Psalm 37:4). Just
knowing that He holds our lives in the palm of His
hand is reason enough to rejoice"no matter what
the day might bring. Thank Him for His mercy and
His everlasting goodness. Nothing else in the
world can bring joy into our lives like He can.
[The 365 Daily Promise Bible By Barbour re v. 8]
CLOSING PEARLS
A Spring For The Soul
Sadly, many people get their happiness
only from outward circumstances. As long as their
lives are untroubled, they feel happy. But when
illness strikes, or a relationship breaks down, or
any of a thousand other unexpected troubles
engulf them, then happiness flees. Near my home is
a spring that never varies its flow. Floods
may rage, but its output doesn't increase. A
long summer's drought may come, but it won't
decrease. Its flow is steady, reliable, and unending.
Such is the peace we all yearn for - and
such is the peace Jesus promises to all who trust
in Him: "The water that I shall give him will
become in him a fountain of water springing up into
everlasting life.... My peace I give to you" (John 4:14;
14:27).
Have you come to that unending spring -
which is Christ? Are you coming to Him each day?
The world attempts to woo people with its
version of happiness. Today spend some time alone
with Christ and experience joy that is full and
pleasures that are eternal. [Hope for Each Day by
Billy Graham]
Life and Light
When Jesus came to a world that was in
bondage to darkness and dead in its sin, He came as
light and life. His light dispelled sins
darkness wherever He went, for the forces of evil
could not withstand Him. The life He brought was
abundant and free, available to all who were dead in
their sin. (Eph 2:1; John 10:10).
If you are a Christian, Jesus lives in
you, and His light is within you. Christians are
called to dispel darkness (Eph 5:11). The light of
Christ ought to shine so brightly through you that
those practicing darkness are uncomfortable when
they are around you. The light within you should
dispel darkness from the lives of your friends,
coworkers, and family members.
The fullness of life found in Christ
dwells within you as a Christian (Col 1:27). The
life that Jesus offers is available to others
through you. Dont discount what you have to give
to those who are hurting. Christs life
within you is more than sufficient to meet every
human need. When people encounter you, they
encounter Christ within you. You do not know all the
answers, but you have Someone within you who does!
You will not carry the burden of the needs of
others. Christ will. Be aware that just as many
resisted Jesus, so there will be those who resist the
truth that you offer (John 1:11). Be thankful,
however, that God chooses to express Himself through
you, giving light and life to those around you.
[Experiencing God Day by Day by Henry and Richard Blackaby
re John 1:4]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
Psalm 36:9 - The Fountain Of Life and Light.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2015/20150218-1416.html
Psalm 36:7-9 - The Fountain Of Life and
Light.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2011/20110217-1311.html
John 4:14 - How to Satisfy Your Spiritual
Thirst.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210314-1036.html
John 7:37-39 - Are You Thirsty?
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190816-1057.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study
Guides:
https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE
