Last week I was reading, re-reading and meditating on Psalm 112. God is still applying it in my life. In fact the wedding ceremony I performed on Saturday had as one of their Scripture readings Psalm 112. Of all the weddings I’ve done no one has used that Scripture.
Initially I concentrated on the first part of the chapter. “Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments! His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.” This is a request I pray for every day; that God would grant me a godly legacy.
But as the week continued verses 6-8 stood out to me. “For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart this firm, trusting in the Lord. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.” His Spirit settled these verses on my heart.
What great promises they proclaim! I love the idea of being steadfast, being significant in God’s kingdom and not being afraid. I am also looking forward to the ultimate victory through Christ; the Blessed Hope we all share.
But the verses also say this man will not be afraid of bad news. That is a tough one for me to fully embrace. I do not think any of us want to hear bad news. We trust the Lord, His loving kindness toward us, and His plan for us. But we have to constantly remind ourselves of God’s intentions toward us – for our good and for His glory.
He is committed to make me like Himself, to look like Jesus one day. He is committed for all men to acknowledge His Lordship over all. God is committed to bring justice and righteousness to a broken, rebellious and fallen world.
Can I wait on the Lord and His sovereign plan? By His grace – yes! I want to say with the prophet Habakkuk, “Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble to come upon people who invade us. Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail, and the fields yield no food… Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God the Lord is my strength…” 3:16-19.
Will you pray with me that God would hide these words in my heart? Would you pray that I would be wise in my counsel to others? Would you pray that God would give me a godly legacy? Would you pray that I would trust strongly in the Lord, that my heart would remain steady, and that I will not be afraid? By the way would it be OK if I pray these things for you?
I am so glad that God does not expect us to be on this Christian journey alone. He has provided His Holy Spirit, He has provided the body of Christ, He has provided His Word. I am grateful that you are there beside me. And if need be you may have to carry me, or help me along this journey when I am weak. I hope to do the same for you. Thanks be to God!
Phil