The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Psalm 52:8,
"But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever."
The contrasting conjunction that begins verse 8 in this psalm refers back to the previous verses that highlight what is in store for the wicked (not good...).
In verse 8 David proclaims what is his in the Lord that contrasts to the fate of the wicked. In this verse, as a man of faith, he equates himself with the metaphor of an olive tree flourishing in the house of God. This portrayal is for me a vivid figurative description of an abundant fertile life, lush in all the very best life has to offer as intended by God. An opulent and sumptuous life, not in terms of financial riches, but the riches of fulness of life, satisfaction in life, purpose in life, fulfillment in life, a life replete with mental, emotional, intellectual and spiritual vitality, exuberance and vibrancy. All the very best that God has to offer us in his presence, of being "in the house of God."
David lays his claim to this in that "I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever." This, I believe, is what is ours, those of us who have embraced the Lord in faith just as David did.
It brings to mind Paul's words when he quoted Isaiah 64;4, "'What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived'— the things God has prepared for those who love him— these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit." 1 Corinthians 2:9-10a.
A blog with my ruminations over the years can be found here: http://worshipfortoday.blogspot.com/
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know..
"But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever."
The contrasting conjunction that begins verse 8 in this psalm refers back to the previous verses that highlight what is in store for the wicked (not good...).
In verse 8 David proclaims what is his in the Lord that contrasts to the fate of the wicked. In this verse, as a man of faith, he equates himself with the metaphor of an olive tree flourishing in the house of God. This portrayal is for me a vivid figurative description of an abundant fertile life, lush in all the very best life has to offer as intended by God. An opulent and sumptuous life, not in terms of financial riches, but the riches of fulness of life, satisfaction in life, purpose in life, fulfillment in life, a life replete with mental, emotional, intellectual and spiritual vitality, exuberance and vibrancy. All the very best that God has to offer us in his presence, of being "in the house of God."
David lays his claim to this in that "I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever." This, I believe, is what is ours, those of us who have embraced the Lord in faith just as David did.
It brings to mind Paul's words when he quoted Isaiah 64;4, "'What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived'— the things God has prepared for those who love him— these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit." 1 Corinthians 2:9-10a.
A blog with my ruminations over the years can be found here: http://worshipfortoday.blogspot.com/
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know..
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