Psalm 112 - 6.10.21
Scripture - What stood out?
Psalm 112:1
Praise the Lord.
Blessed are those who fear the Lord,
who find great delight in his commands.
Observation - What does it say?
Psalm 112 is a reminder to those of us who revere the Lord and find joy in what He asks of us. While we move forward in our walk with God we are encouraged by what waits for us along the way. Our hope is for a promised journey. One filled with blessing and honor. In the hope that through it all we end up with the ultimate prize, eternity with God our Creator.
Understanding - What does it mean?
Do I revere you Lord? Do I hold You in an awe and majesty that walks the line between fear and abject terror? Do I delight in Your commands? If so I am blessed.
Thank you for the encouragement this morning, Lord. I needed to hear this. For too long I have allowed the enemy to plant seeds of doubt. The world whispers to me about how truly burdensome the narrow gate is. But this psalm is a reminder of who guides my path once I have entered those doors. And that “Even in darkness light dawns for the upright”.
Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?
Holy Spirit teach me how to revere God more deeply today.
As I drink my morning coffee this morning I will stay quiet for 10 minutes and think upon this vese:
Praise the Lord.
Blessed are those who fear the Lord,
who find great delight in his commands.
Holy Spirit teach me how to delight in God’s commands.
Before I go to bed today I will stay quiet for 10 minutes and meditate on this: Matthew 22 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
In the name of Jesus, I ask.
-kenneth lee
Psalm 111
Scripture
Psalm 111:10 NLT
“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!”
Observation-What does it say?
Psalm 111 is a psalm of praise and thanksgiving. The psalmist gives all glory and honor to God for all He has done. God’s provision, protection, faithfulness, trustworthiness, and wisdom are worthy to be praised.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.
There are other verses in the Bible that state this. The book of Proverbs, written by one of the wisest people ever, King Solomon, states this multiple times in scripture.
“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”-Proverbs 1:7
“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.”-Proverbs 9:10
It’s a phrase used in scripture that can be confusing at times. What does it mean to fear the Lord? Should I be scared of God like He is some scary monster out to get me? I think to get a better understanding of what it means to “fear the Lord” we need to define the biblical word of fear.
In the Bible, the word translated “fear” can mean several things. It can refer to the terror one feels in a frightening situation (Deuteronomy 2:25). It can mean “respect” in the way a servant fears his master and serves him faithfully (Joshua 24:14). Fear can also denote the reverence or awe a person feels in the presence of greatness (Isaiah 6:5). The fear of the Lord is a combination of all of these.
Fearing God to me is understanding just how holy and mighty God is. Fearing God is knowing just how BIG He is, and how we are just a mere speck of dust in comparison. It’s about recognizing that God is the creator of the universe and is all knowing. It’s knowing that He is the King of Kings, and is on the throne. It puts us in our true place. A place where we can humbly bow down and worship Him. When the reality of God’s true nature has caused us to fall down in worship, we are then in the right position to gain wisdom. Wisdom is merely seeing life from God’s perspective and responding accordingly. Wisdom is a priority, and we are told to seek it above all else.
“Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding.” Proverbs 3:13
Life Application
Desire heavenly wisdom over earthly wisdom.
Until our hearts are in a right relationship with God, we are unable to have the “wisdom that comes from heaven”.
“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.”-James 3:17-18
Without the fear of the Lord, we may gain knowledge of earthly things and make some practical choices for this life, but we are missing the one ingredient that defines a wise person. Will you choose to be a wise person today?
-Moses Gaddi
2 Thessalonians 3
Scripture
2 Thessalonians 3:11-13
We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.
Observation-What does it say?
Paul was addressing an issue among some in the church in Thessalonica - idleness. In the Matthew Henry Bible Commentary, Henry says, "It is probable that these persons had a notion (by misunderstanding some passages in the former epistle) concerning the near approach of the coming of Christ, which served them for a pretence to leave off the work of their callings, and live in idleness." In other words, Jesus is coming back soon, so we can just coast until then.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Jesus has saved us! But that is not the end of the story. He gave us a calling - to go out and make Him known. He doesn't want us to rest until the whole world knows about His love for them. Matthew 9:35-38: Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Are we being spiritually idle, concerned only for our own salvation? Or will we accept our calling and get to work?
Life Application
Lord, change my self-centered heart and fill me with Your compassion for those that are harassed and helpless, sick and in need of You. Open my eyes to opportunities to share Your goodness with those I come in contact with. No more excuses - I'm too shy, that's not my gifting, others will do it - and help me, and all of us, to walk in our calling to know You and make You known.
-Debbie Dunn