"Regardless!" -3

"The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: He maketh the devices of the people of none effect." (Psalms 33:10) When we are talking about praising God, especially when it comes to praise that really matters towards God, if we do not have love, we are not praising God! I know that might sound a little harsh and judgmental, but it's true, and I can prove it by a multitude of Scriptures; but for time sake, let's just pretend I know what I'm talking about, and let's move on with why this verse moves us in that direction (or is moving me?); besides, "the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the [unrighteous]". (1 Timothy 1:9) In that, if we actually consider what this Psalm is attributed towards, that being "Praising God", and we look at it in that context, then both of those meanings will apply simultaneously; as in, God makes His ways to trump over the ways of man, and He fixes the things that we seem to keep messing up, primarily loving Him and one another! The word "heathen", although typically referring to anyone that is not one of God's chosen people, also refers to anyone that opposes God, as in to take "counsel" against God or His people. This opposition that I believe the writer of this Psalm is referring to, is regarding praise, and in light of what has already been brought to Light, the praise is based upon the change that God has made in us; because whether you might realize it or not, we are not able to even come close to loving as God would have us to love, without Him putting that love within our hearts; it is God that makes us to love, by giving us His Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, and the fruit of the Spirit rising up and out of our lives, we have no chance of really loving God or each other the way that God has intended us to love. To further hit this point home, the second part of this verse is a continuation of the same thought, just expounded further; and in this continuation, the writer uses the word "people", referring to people in general or as a whole; thus also making the word "heathen" to be all inclusive, and to include even His own people, if they fall into that category of being in opposition to Him; or in this case, opposing His love, and unable to praise Him properly. It is the meaning of the word "devices" that actually got me thinking of this, because one of it's meanings is the term 'thought'; which in and or itself may not raise many eyebrows, but taken in the context of what we are capable of, and in the way we think towards one another, it has huge implications towards the damage that can be done by thinking something wrong about someone, and then letting our imaginations literally carry us to the brink of crucifying someone over nothing at all! Therefore; true love of God, which is not based upon what we might think or perceive about someone, is based upon an unconditional love, regardless of what we might imagine in our hearts, or even what might be real and true; God's love for us is based upon the fact that He loved us, even while we yet sinners and were opposed to Him, He loved us all just the same, sin and all; therefore, we are to love one another, just as He has loved us... "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity (love), I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity (love), I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity (love), it profiteth me nothing. Charity (love) suffereth long, and is kind; charity (love) envieth not; charity (love) vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily prevoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity (love) never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." (1 Corinthians 13:1-10)