Psalm 138:6

AMP and RVR 1960

CONTEXT:

The bible is full of references that make it clear that man that is ALL MANKIND is messed up apart for the Grace of God. A few of the more known examples (ESV) include: 

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— … Ephesians 2:1-22

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8

Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. Ecclesiastes 7:20

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— Romans 5:12

I could go on and on and on. I think I counted well over 100 bible verses referencing man’s sin nature. While many deny the bible, one only has to look at the utter chaos and depravity going on in the streets of many major cities in the U.S. and around the world to understand mankind is truly MESSED UP.

BREAKDOWN:

Though the Lord be high, – The Lord sits in His rightful position of Leadership and Authority; deserving all the dignity, honor and glory that comes with being the Lord Almighty creator of Heaven and Earth.

yet hath he respect – Some (just look at many of our elected officials) let the Authority and Power of a position swell their heads so to speak. If anyone had the right to be arrogant it would be He who is All Knowing, All Powerful and Ever Present. 

Instead God is a respecter of persons, that is He views His creation with pleasure. 

unto the lowly: – Ah, but not all His creation pleases Him. As this and many other verses make clear it is only the lowly, those who have a contrite heart.  

but the proud – The proud man, that is the kind of pride in man that God hates, The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. Proverbs 8:13 is different than pride we can have in accomplishing something for the Kingdom. 

he knoweth afar off. – Note it is very clear, God hates a prideful (arrogant) man but we must be WARNED even taking pride in one’s accomplishments can lead to self pride and sin. This leads to separation (no fellowship with) from God.

APPLICATION:

It is not often I get to use a Clint Eastwood movie in one of my devotionals but here goes:

The Good: God’s love His creation

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

THE BAD: Not everyone will respond to God’s Love

SEE VERSES ABOVE

AND THE UGLY: Those failing to respond are doomed for eternity

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Matthew 25:41

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21

Last point before I close, less anyone think the “Ugly” is unfair, unjust etc. the same old tired excuses we hear all the time from doubters, remember Romans 1:19-21 God makes it clear the maximum effective range of your excuse is zero meters. 

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