Character

Good character is:

- the abode for all virtue

- the foundation for true success

- the strength to overcome every adversity

- the fuel that propels us towards our destiny

- the credentials for building nobility into others

- the light that guides our way through darkness

- the true beauty of our soul

Vivien Hibbert

Psalm 36: Man's Wickedness - God's Perfection

In Psalm 36, there are 6 verses that describe man’s wickedness (verses 1-4; 11-12) and then 6 verses that describe God’s perfections (vs. 6-10). There are 13 descriptions of man’s wickedness, and 14 accounts of God’s perfections.

The number 13 in the bible represents rebellion and lawlessness. Nimrod, the mighty hunter who was 'before the Lord' (meaning he tried to take the place of God - Genesis 10:9), was the 13th in Ham's line (Ham was one of Noah's three sons who survived the flood). Thirteen represents all the governments created by men, and inspired by Satan, in outright rebellion against the Lord. The dragon, a symbol for Satan, is found 13 times in Revelation. Satan is behind all rebellion against God.

The number 14 in the bible represents deliverance and salvation. It is also a double of the number 7, which represents completion. In the verses of this Psalm that describe God’s perfection, there are 14 pronouns: (Your, You).

Here are the 13 descriptions of man’s wickedness:

The wicked man has no fear of God

The wicked man flatters himself

The wicked man loves to sin

The wicked man hates others

The wicked man speaks deceitfully

The wicked man turns from wisdom

The wicked man turns from goodness

The wicked man plots evil through the night

The wicked man walks in evil

The wicked man loves what God hates

The wicked man crushes others with their pride

The wicked man pushes people around

The wicked man falls down and is unable to rise again

Here are the 14 descriptions of God perfections:

God’s mercy is as vast as the heavens

God’s faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds

God’s righteousness is as powerful as the mountains

God’s justice is as deep as the oceans

God’s care extends to every man and creature

God’s love is precious and unfailing

God’s shelter under His wings is secure

God’s provision is abundant
God's drink springs from His hand

God’s pleasures flow like a river

God’s life pours out like a fountain

God’s light gives us light for our eyes

God’s kindness extends to all who know Him 
God’s virtue covers the upright in heart

The number 14 also represents David - the numerics of his name add up to 14: D_V_D represent the numbers 4+6+4=14. David was the 14th generation from Abraham. Then there were another 14 generations to babylon and another 14 generations to Jesus (Matt. 1:1-17). Jesus is the Divine King who is descended from David.

Genesis to Revelation

I am the Alpha and the Omega,

The Beginning and the End,

The First and the Last.”

Rev. 22:13

Sometimes it is interesting to read the beginning of the Word with the end in mind…

• In the beginning of the Bible, God created the heavens and the earth – in the end of the Bible God creates a new heaven and new earth (Gen. 1:1; Rev. 21:1).

• In the beginning of the Bible, total darkness covered the earth– In the end of the Bible total light will flood the earth (Gen. 1:2; Rev. 22:5)

• In the beginning of the Bible, the first words ever heard were from God - spoken into creation, “Let there be light” – in the end of the Bible, the last words spoken are from the Lord to His greatest creation - the Bride: “Surely I am coming quickly.” (Gen. 1:3; Rev. 22:20)

• In the beginning of the Bible, God began time with a morning followed by a night – in the end of the Bible we will live in a day that has no more night. (Gen. 1:5; Rev. 22:5)

• In the beginning of the Bible, God created a beautiful garden for man – in the end of the Bible God has created a beautiful city for man. (Gen. 2:8; Rev. 21:2, 10)

• In the beginning of the Bible, God created mankind out of the earth – it was a corruptible body – in the end of the Bible mankind has a new, incorruptible body and lives forever. (Gen. 2:7; 2Cor. 5:1)

• In the beginning of the Bible, God created mankind in His image – In the end of the Bible God has formed mankind in His character (Gen 1:26; Rev. 19:7-8)

• In the beginning of the Bible, God told mankind to rule and have dominion over the earth – in the end of the Bible God calls mankind to reign with Him forever (Gen. 1:28; Rev. 22:5)

• In the beginning of the Bible, God told Adam and Eve and all creatures to “Go” and multiply – in the end of the Bible the Spirit calls the Bride to “Come!” (Gen. 1:28; Rev. 22:17)

• In the beginning of the Bible Adam and Eve hid from the (face) presence of God – in the end of the Bible all of nations and tongues come before His face (Gen. 3:8; Rev. 22:4)

• In the beginning of the Bible, Adam and Eve were naked – in the end of the Bible, mankind is clothed in white garments and nakedness is covered (Gen. 3:7; 2:25; Rev. 3:18)

• In the beginning of the Bible, mankind is banished from the tree of life (Gen. 3:24) – In the end of the Bible mankind is invited to the tree of life (Rev. 22:1)

Praying the Word of God

Here are some good reasons why we should pray the Bible – in other words, use the language and words directly from Scripture as you pray:

• It builds faith: Rom. 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

• God is bound to His own promises – pray the things He has spoken and watch what He will do: Num. 23:19 Has God said, and will He not do it? Or has he spoken, and will He not make it good?

• It assures us that we are praying according to God’s will.

1Jn. 5:14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

• It releases the power of God – the power of the possible into our prayers: Mk. 10:27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

• If we don’t know what to pray, then this method can help us. The Word teaches us to have conversation with the Lord.

• Jesus prayed the psalms: On the cross He prayed directly from Psalm 22v1 and 31v5. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” and “Into your hands I commit my spirit.”

Also in Acts 4v24-26. Peter and John reported back to the other disciples after being hauled before the Sanhedrin following the miraculous healing of a lame man in Jerusalem. “When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord, you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: "`Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?” Here they were using the words of Psalm 2 as they prayed.

• The Word is food for our soul and spirit: Ps. 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

• It opens us up to a deepening of our intimacy and communication with God through a growing awareness of who God is and who we are.

           

• It allows the Word to penetrate our hearts. The Word of God is living and powerful as it works in our hearts: Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

• It opens all our spiritual senses.

• It is a lamp that lights our way and guides our path - it speaks to us and leads us as we follow His words: Ps. 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
 And a light to my path.