The Blessed Life 3

The aim of this devotional study is to reflect on the rewards the righteous – of those who fear the Lord.

Scripture

Psalms 112:1-4

1 Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! 2 His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. 4 Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.

Observations

Note: To fear the Lord means to live with the knowledge that God is our creator and judge, and therefore we his servants who live according to His will and depart from evil (See Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Psalm 34:11-14, Proverbs 3:7; 8:13)

According to verse one, what do we learn of “the man who fears the Lord”? Why would that be characteristic of such a person? (See the definition above).
List the blessings reserved for those who fear the Lord (verses 2-4). Then explain what you understand by each of those phrases.
What are the characteristics of “the man who fears God” according to the second halfof verse 4?

Reflection

As a New Testament believer, do you usually read the Bible and see commands that God and his Son Jesus gives?

How do you relate to those commands – more like suggestions to guide you, or like clear instructions to be obeyed? [note: try to distinguish here between what you KNOW to be true and what you DO or FEEL].
How do you understand God feels about the commands he writes in the Bible – such as those contained in Matthew 5-6?

How do you feel about the promise in this Psalm that “Wealth and riches are in [the] house [of him that fears the Lord”?

Why do you think God can trust a man who fears him with possessions? (hint: look at the definition on one who fears God in the previous section]
Do you believe that God delights to prosper you?

Prayer

In Isaiah 11:2 the Holy Spirit is referred to as “the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.” Spend some time and pray that God will give you a greater knowledge and fear of Him through the revelation by His Holy Spirit. And then boldly ask God to bless you as promised in Psalm 112.