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