One aproach to studying Psam 112 could be with this outline:
1. Our Relationship to the Lord v. 1 2. Our Relationship to Material Wealth v. 3-5,9 3. Our Relationship to Circumstances v.6-8 4. Our Relationship to the Wicked v.10
COMMENTS BASED ON THE TEXT: V.1 Praise alone is not enough to produce a mature, well rounded Christian. An equally important trait is that one FEARS THE LORD! FEAR= a constant awareness that God knows everything that I do, say, or think; He will bless or discipline accordingly! Fear expresses the concepts of supreme respect and awe, as well as sweaty-palmed, heart-pounding terror. Supreme respect for God and a dread of doing anything that would displease Him. Praise and fear!!! A person who openly expresses appreciation for the Lord, reverently fears Him, and pursues Godly wisdom is blessed. Anyone who wishes to please God must give God priority in his or her life and delight in His Word.
What kind of fear may beset you that is truly not the fear of a holy God? The psalmist is sharing that a believing heart is a steadfast heart, one that is not easily shaken by bad news or difficult circumstances. What about those pending events that you only imagine might happen and you are fearful! Are you shaken to your depts when "bad" news knocks at your door? 27:14 "Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the Lord."
The psalmist is not telling us that we will never receive bad news...in fact, we can assume that we will! But during all those times of sufferings - which will definitely come to the Christian as we "enter into His suffering", REMEMBER, that Jesus is the definition of GRAVITY = He holds everything together...Col.1:16-17. John 16:33
The sperm whales can dive to 8,000 feet below the surface of the water...why don't they get crushed? Because they were designed to withstand the pressure...JUST AS THE LORD DESIGNED YOU AND ME! Because of HIM, we can take the pressure! That inner resource--the Christian's secret, if you want to call it that--lies in the web of supportive relationships that develop within a person's life when they follow God's blueprint for living. Jesus taught that the 2 most important commands are to love God wholeheartedly and love one's neighbor as oneself Matt.22:37-39.
A Godly person is 1. a good steward, 2. exhibits righteousness that endures forever, 3. whose horn will be exalted in honor - highly respected for his strength and doesn't have to 'toot his own horn' 4. will be envied and make the wicked angry.
(We may attempt to avoid that which we cannot!!!!)
1 comment:
God told Satan in Job 1:8 in the illustration of Job's life what true reverence and fear included the following characteristics. Job shuns evil, walks blamless and is upright as he demostrates the fear of God.
Thank you for posting you Sunday School lesson out on the blog.
God Bless,
Barry
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