“Transgression speaks to the wicked
deep in his heart;
there is no fear of God
before his eyes.
For he flatters himself in his own eyes
that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit;
he has ceased to act wisely and do good.
He plots trouble while on his bed;
he sets himself in a way that is not good;
he does not reject evil.
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.” Psalm 36:1-9
The will of man is captive to desire and decision. For the wicked, the absence of the fear of God makes welcome room for every sort of pride-driven behavior. Arrogance begets bombast of mouth and hand. The soul is deceived so all is trouble in private and public. He cannot not do evil.
Enter the love of God. Steadfast in pursuing, saving, and keeping, the one whose will takes refuge there feasts on righteous delights. Fountains and light are the atmosphere and flow of the upright who knows he is loved.
Where we settle our minds and affections will steer the will. Dragging feet in the world ensnares us there, while fixing mind and heart above elevates desire and living. Which will we determine? (2 Corinthians 10:5; Colossians 3:1-2)
To what and whom are we captive? How thoughtfully do we steer our will? Are we keen to its tendency to wander, and quick to take refuge in God’s mercy? Do we daily invite Him to take account and expose folly and any smack of pride, then redirect our drive and hold us steady? Would we boldly turn our attention and angst away from unhealthy interest in evildoers to commit ourselves to actively delighting in the Lord? (Psalm 36:11; 37:1-5,7,27a; 139:23-24)
“Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise.
Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee.
Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee.
Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose.
Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne.
Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee.” ~France’s Ridley Havergal (1874)
Father, take my will wholly captive to know and love You and to do Your bidding unto Your honor and praise.
As the rain and snow 