UNAFRAID OF BAD NEWS
OPENING PRAYER:
I bring my doubts to You, Lord. Teach me to trust You more deeply through them.
Praise the Lord.
Blessed are those who fear the Lord,
who find great delight in his commands.
Their children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in their houses,
and their righteousness endures forever. Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,
who conduct their affairs with justice.
Surely the righteous will never be shaken;
they will be remembered forever.
They will have no fear of bad news;
their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear;
in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor,
their righteousness endures forever;
their horn[c] will be lifted high in honor.
The wicked will see and be vexed,
they will gnash their teeth and waste away;
the longings of the wicked will come to nothing
Read Psalm 112
REFLECT:
Do you ever wonder why you started following Christ? Is it worth it?
I have friends in countries where following Christ actually puts them in danger. Doubts about following Christ are understandable.
Verses 1,10. The psalm is ‘bookend-ed’ by a contrast: ‘those who fear the Lord’ and those who don’t (1,10). We fear Him when we recognize His holiness, authority and power. That sends us to our knees in dependence and fills our hearts with His praises. Without this, we are in real peril (Ephesians 2:1–3).
Verses 2,3. ‘Blessing’ describes the wonder of being sustained by God’s goodness, enables those who fear Him to flourish and always impacts those around us. What results from blessing here?
Verses 4–9. There is a security at the heart of the upright. How else would generosity and graciousness be possible? This blessing is never self-centered. In verses 6–8 the roots of that security are unpacked. What makes this confidence possible?
But many believers suffer cruelty, deprivation and injustice. They hardly seem blessed. The key is the timescale: righteousness forever (3,9) remembered forever (6). This enables endurance.
APPLY:
Read the end of verse 1 again. Do you find great delight in His commands or is obedience a chore? Does your obedience come from obligation or love? Ask God to shape your perspective.
CLOSING PRAYER:
God, I want to desire You and follow You above all else. Change my heart.
WORSHIP: