READ: Psalms 110-112
The powerful message of Psalm 110 is that there already is a King in
place who will rule the world with justice and peace and love. He is not
currently the political King in charge of the world, but one day He will be. This
passage shows Jesus will reign forever (in this passage He is called the Lord).
He will rule over His enemies and His reign will never end. We get a sense of
how wonderful His reign will be in verse 3. People will eagerly and voluntarily
offer themselves as servants and soldiers for Him. This demonstrates a love and
honor for their King. If Jesus will be a King whose citizens will eagerly
serve, He must be a person of great wisdom and love, a very special King. For
anyone who wonders if Jesus will be a good
King when He finally is the only authority, this passage puts all that fear to
rest.
Psalm 111 confirms the greatness of God. The Psalmist is declaring the
many reasons God should be praised. From big things (giving His people the
inheritance of the nations) to the little things (providing food for those who
fear Him) God takes care of His people and deserves to be praised.
The final verse says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Another way to say it would be that without the fear of the Lord one does not
have wisdom. The fear of the Lord comes from acknowledging His power and
realizing we are at His mercy.
Although Psalms 111 and 112 are not connected, the theme of fearing the
Lord is present in both. Psalm 112 offers us a view of what life is like for
those who fear the Lord. The description of the man who fears the Lord is one
of confidence and generosity. It’s like there is no room to fear anything else
when the fear of the Lord consumes him. It’s interesting to note how the fear
of the Lord affected not just his spiritual life but every aspect of life. The
person who fears the Lord cannot separate their life with God from everything
else. They either fear Him in everything, or they don’t fear Him at all. From
the way money is handled, to the way justice is handled, and the response they
give when they get bad news, it all depends on the fear of the Lord.
One specific characteristic repeated about the person who fears the Lord
is the way they handle money. Verse 5 reveals that they are generous and lend
freely. In verse 9 we learn again how freely they give. They also distribute to
the poor. They give to those who need it and who are often overlooked and
mistreated. This ability, to give and to hold money and resources so loosely
they are able to give it away so easily, comes from understanding and fearing
the Lord. When our perspectives are based on the Lord, the practical
out-workings of our lives change.
JOURNALING
AND PRAYER
1.
Think for a moment about political leaders in our
country and in the world. Ask Jesus to speak to you about what His reign on
earth as King will be like. Ask Him to show you what kind of characteristics He
has as King. Ask Him to reveal how you can revere Him as King even now, and in
the days to come as we prepare for His return.
2.
Ask the Lord to speak to you about how you handle
money. Ask Him if you handle it according to the fear of the Lord and the
wisdom that stems from it? Are you generous and do you share with those who
need? If something needs to change ask Him to reveal what to change and how to
change it. Thank Him for giving you wisdom with your finances.
3.
Ask the Lord to reveal to you if you truly fear the
Lord. Listen quietly to Him and write down what He says. Ask Him to show you
what evidence in your life reveals your fear of the Lord, or your lack of fear
in Him. Confess as necessary and thank Him for growing you in wisdom and in
fear toward Him.
