The Way of Blessing
Happy are those who fear the Lord. Yes, happy are those who delight in doing what he commands. Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. . . . When darkness overtakes the godly, light will come bursting in. Psalm 112:1-2, 4
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This psalm tells us two essentials for happiness: to fear God and to delight in following—not just reading or hearing—his commands. For those who fear, who have an attitude of deep humility and acknowledge God’s majesty with a healthy awe and respect, there are specific blessings: prosperity, light even in dark times, honor from God, and even emotional stability to the point of not being afraid of the future, of bad news, or even of wicked people. As we fear God and delight in living according to his principles, he opens the way of blessing.
Spend time contemplating the awesome majesty and splendor of the creator and sustainer of the universe, who has spared nothing to reveal his Father’s heart. Recommit yourself to him and to living according to his ways. Ask for the empowering of his Spirit to delight in doing what God commands.
Prayers:
LORD, reveal yourself to me in your sovereign majesty and fill me with awe and humility before you. Develop in me a healthy fear of you and a desire to not just read your Word but to commit myself to follow all that you command. Thank you for your promise of blessing for those who fear and obey you and that as I continue to follow you, an entire generation will be blessed.
Quotes:
There is a virtuous fear which is the effect of faith, and a vicious fear which is the product of doubt and mistrust. The former leads to hope as relying on God, in whom we believe the latter inclines to despair. . . . Persons of the one character fear to lose God; those of the other character fear to find him.
Blaise Pascal (1623–1662)
The One Year Bible Readings for today are: Ezekiel 29:1–30:26; Hebrews 11:32–12:13; Psalm 112:1-10 and Proverbs 27:17.
