Psalm 52:8 - June 14, 2009

Ps 52:8 "But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love forever and ever." NIV

Psalm 52:8 is such a glaring contrast with the preceding verses 5-7. While verses 5-7 focus on the impending judgment that awaits the wicked and the reality that their seeming prosperity will be cut off in God’s time verse 8 assures the righteous man that it is God’s intention that we flourish! Imagine a well tended, properly watered and adequately lighted plant growing in the shelter of God’s presence. This is the life that God intends for those who follow Him.
The words of Jesus confirm this passage and its comforting image of healthy growth. Jesus declares the goal of his coming into the world as he spoke to the Pharisees contrasting his mission with that of Satan. In John 10:10 Jesus declares “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” As the second half of Psalm 52:8 encourages us by the psalmist’s example our part is to trust in God’s love. The power of Jesus’ words in John 10:10 is to help us rightly identify the source of those things that touch our lives and bring harm. Too often it is the tendency even of Christians to ascribe the evil deeds and difficult circumstances that touch our lives to the works of the Lord. But Jesus clearly distinguishes His agenda from that of the thief, Satan. When dark times touch us our hearts are tempted to blame God but Christ clearly identifies that it is the thief who comes “to steal, and to kill and to destroy.” Jesus continues on to correct our thinking even further by declaring his purpose concerning us, “abundant life!” This is God’s heart for you!
When evil comes we must resist the temptation to point to God with an accusing heart. The psalmist presents a different response for those who know the Lord, “I trust in God's unfailing love forever and ever.” When those times of trial come do not yield to the voice that would accuse God! Stand firmly in the knowledge that you are loved and that God’s intention for you is that you have abundant life, a life full of the joy and peace that only the Spirit of God dwelling inside of you can provide. God is not the author of the evil that may come your way. His plan is abundance and his response to those destructive things that have come against you is always redemptive in nature. Those who love the Lord and are called according to His purposes may rest assured that as Paul says in Rom 8:28-29 “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” The knowledge of God’s loving commitment to you is your greatest source of comfort. Lean on Him today knowing that his intention is that you flourish in life like that green olive tree and that if Satan or circumstances rise up against you there is a peace and safety available in God that can not only give you power to endure but turn evil into blessing and life changing wisdom from above if you will turn your heart fully in trusting surrender into the hands of the living God!