For today, One Year Bible Online links here.
The writer does not mean this literally (or perhaps, he does not JUST mean this literally). The lazy begin doing things which would lead to success, but they abandon them when they realize it will take work and time to gain from them.
If you point out their mistake to the wise, they will become wiser. The simple-minded only learn when they see someone suffer for doing the things which they do.
Every time I read this psalm I am struck by the imagery it uses to describe God’s reaction to our cries for His help. When God launches Himself to bring justice to the innocent and the powerless, nothing will stop Him, all of Creation will tremble in fear. I pray that I am never the target of God’s anger and I weep for those who are. They were given ample opportunity to change their ways but have instead chosen to bring harm to others.
Paul sums up the human condition when he says, “I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.” There is a power within us which leads us to do things we don’t want to do. That power is our sinful nature which makes us slaves to sin and death. The only way we can be freed from that bondage is through faith in Jesus Christ.
Paul tells us that if we are controlled by our sinful nature we will think about sinful things and if we are controlled by the Holy Spirit we will think about things pleasing to the Spirit. The converse of those are true as well. If we think about sinful things we will be controlled by our sinful nature. Which means that if we want to give control to the Holy Spirit we need to fill our minds thinking about things which are pleasing to the Spirit. Remember, you are going to think about something. The Power which rules this world is constantly striving to fill our minds with thoughts about sinful things. If we do not work just as hard to fill our minds with thoughts pleasing to the Holy Spirit, he will fill us with thoughts about sinful things. The result of that is that our sinful nature will control us. I realize that the key to overcoming the sin in my life is to work harder to fill my mind with thoughts pleasing the the Holy Spirit. Thus I will give the Holy Spirit control over my life and deprive my sinful nature of control.
We need to remember this same principle in discussing controversial issues with others. Our Enemy constantly seeks to make the discussion about what is sinful rather than about what is righteous. By doing this he gets us to think about sinful things. Instead of falling into that trap (something I struggle against), let us make the discussion about doing what is right, not about whether sin is sin.
In response to Solomon’s prayer God said, “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” As I look at world events I see a future where scary things are going to happen. This passage reminds me of the answer to the frightening future I see coming. God is calling His people to humble themselves and pray. I know that I do not pray as I should. Let those of us who wish to be called by God’s name humble ourselves and fill our minds with prayer. This is the answer to filling my mind with thoughts pleasing to the Spirit. Oh Lord, make me a man of prayer!