Reading: Psalms 108-118
Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in His commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. (Ps. 112:1-4).
The 112th Psalm departs somewhat from the traditional pattern of praise and worship to give us a closer look at the life that can be enjoyed by the man that feareth the Lord . Family honor, peace, prosperity, protection from evil, and freedom from fear are just some of the many blessings the psalmist declares such a person can expect to receive.
As we read this psalm, many of us are filled with a sense of confusion. We know, through both life experiences and our studies of God’s Word, that faithful obedience to God does not guarantee us earthly wealth, nor does it necessarily protect us from persecution, random evil, sickness, or traumatic events in our day-to-day lives, so what exactly is the psalmist speaking of here? The answer to that question lies within the perceptions of the reader. God does indeed gift each of His faithful children with all of these blessings, but only those looking through the eyes of the Spirit can fully appreciate them.These blessings and gifts are aligned with the values of God, not the world.
To the man rich in the love and compassion of God, prosperity and wealth take on a new meaning. The size of his bank account ceases to be important; all that matters is that he has enough to share with others in need. The more he can improve the lives of his fellow man, the richer he feels. He is uniquely equipped to handle whatever circumstances come his way. The peace of God fills him, providing comfort in times of sorrow and healing in times of pain.
The man of God believes in the Lord so completely that worldly news does not frighten him; he trusts in God’s plan and has willingly laid his life in His hands. Although evil might well be able to attack his physical body, it will never be able to touch his soul; he is encased in the armor of God, and he will be able to endure all without fail (Eph. 6:10-18).
Last but certainly not least, the man of God endureth for ever . The life of a true Christian heart leaves an indelible legacy that can never be erased. Each life they have touched has been imbued with a spark of the light they contain. God’s love is constant; it never dissipates and cannot be destroyed. It makes its way from person to person, spreading farther and farther with every godly touch. With every life changed, the legacy increases. Once we give ourselves to God, we can be assured that we will forever have a place in His service.
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God (Matt. 5:3-9).
Thought for Today: Accepting God into our lives does not automatically mean the world around us is a better place, but with God’s light, the darkness breaks before us, and we can finally see the path.
Christ Revealed: Christ quoted Psalm 118:22: The Stone which the builders refused (rejected) – to the chief priests and the Pharisees when they willfully rejected Him as the Messiah (Matt. 21:42-45).
Word Studies: 108:7 mete = measure; 109:23 declineth = fades away; 111:7 verity and judgment = truth and justice; 112:9 horn = strength, power; 114:8 standing = pool of; 116:3 compassed me = surrounded me.
Pray For Government Officials:Switzerland (8,061,516) Central Europe • Major Languages: German, French • Religious Freedom • 38.2% Roman Catholic; 26.9% Protestant; 4.9% Muslim; 5.7% Other Christian; 1.6% Other; 21.4% None; 1.3% Unspecified • Prayer Suggestion: Seek the guidance of God in meekness (Ps. 25:9).
Optional Readings: I Timothy 5