The Fountain of Life

April 12, 2019

Psalm 36: 5-12

As you begin reading verse five, I hope you experience joy and peace that fills my pea picking heart this morning.  Ponder on these verses; “Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O Lord.  How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.  They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.  For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.  Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your righteousness to the upright of heart!”

As I was reading Psalm 139:7-12, and I will share verse 7, as David asks this question of the LORD.  “Where shall I go from your spirit?  Or where shall I flee from your presence?”   In the verses that follow David answers his questions.  Is it not wonderful that God has no limits?   The Scriptures tell us that it rains on both the just and the unjust, and the same is true when it comes to taking refuge under the dominant hand of our God.  Both good and evil feast on the abundance of what God gives a nation, but only those who are drawn by the Holy Spirit and by the truth found in the Bible will humble themselves before a Holy God and confess their need of our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 3:16, makes it very clear that Jesus did not go to the cross and take the sins of a select group, or color, but for all mankind, that is the offer, and that is your choice.  Verse 9, “ For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.”  Wow, reread it, life is more than being born once, it’s the second birth that brings you joy and peace in the middle of a fallen world that is opposed to all that is good and holy.  Do you recall the Pharisee named Nicodemus, and his comment to Jesus?  You will find the account in John 3:1-15, and Jesus told him something all people need to hear.  “Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

No matter what religion Mom and Dad are, no matter how often you go to church and do good deeds for others, God tells us apart from Jesus, your acts are like filthy rags in His sight.  But today, your reading this and today you have enough information to choose to bow a knee to Jesus Christ and confess that you have been trying to live life under your control.

As we close, being a follower of Christ does not make us perfect, I also have often prayed verse 11, “Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.”  It is later than you think today is your day of Salvation.  Make the right choice!

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice