What Do You Love?
Thinking about Psalm 52.
Doeg the Edomite was quick to tell King Saul where David had been and blame the priests of deception and treason.
When nobody else would follow King Saul’s order to kill the priests, Doeg did what nobody else would do.
Later, David wrote a Psalm about Doeg - and his inspired words are rather telling.
Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man? The goodness of God endures continually. Your tongue devises destruction, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. You love evil more than good, lying rather than speaking righteousness. Selah
You love all devouring words, you deceitful tongue. (Psalm 52:1-4)
Doeg’s words betrayed his love for evil and his wicked intentions with his speech.
Doeg was an opportunist who was willing to do and say anything to “climb the ladder” above those around him (1 Samuel 22:7-10). He trusted in himself. Because of his misplaced trust, he was doomed.
God shall likewise destroy you forever; He shall take you away, and pluck you out of your dwelling place, and uproot you from the land of the living. Selah
The righteous also shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him, saying, “Here is the man who did not make God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.” (Psalm 52:5-7)
Trusting in this world’s riches and making ourselves strong in wickedness might seem like a pretty good plan. But from God’s perspective - it’s the height of foolishness.
Christians are reminded to trust in God - not in this world’s riches.
Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. (1 Timothy 6:17)
As David ends Psalm 52, he thinks about those who are truly blessed - those who trust in God.
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. I will praise You forever, because You have done it; and in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good. (Psalm 52:8-9)
The blessed ones trust in the mercy of God. They love those things which are good and right.
What do you love?
Are you willing to do whatever it takes to “climb the ladder?” Are you willing to tell a little lie here, enjoy a little evil there to become “somebody?”
Or do you embrace truth and what is right, no matter the consequences?