Psalms – Prayers of Honesty and Praise
What does it mean to be blessed? Does it mean that all is going well in our lives? Does it mean we are liked and loved by all? Does it mean generally that life is going well without any speed bumps along the way. Mm, I don’t think so. Being and feeling blessed might have a lot to do with the stage of our maturity and growth in following God and obeying His commandments.
Our next psalm of praise begins with “Blessed man, blessed woman, who fear God, who cherish and relish his commandments.” So, God’s blessings come when we obey with enthusiasm and joy knowing that God will be pleased. Not only that, we cherish His guidance knowing God wants His best for us. Blessed is an attitude in us as God gives His best generously to us who believe and follow Him.
Blessings and growing in maturity in following God seem to be related. Maturity has many facets as we grow more and more in love with God, our Father, who loved us first. How do we know we are maturing in His love? We see evidence of maturity emerging in our lives when:
*Our concern for others outweighs our concern for ourselves. (Phil 2)
*The presence of evil or danger is detected before it is obvious.
*We have more than high ideals; we have discipline to carry them out.
*Emotions are tempered by responsibility and thoroughness.
*Awareness of needs are matched by compassion and involvement.
*There is not only an understanding of a task, but also the fortitude to stay at it until it is done.
*There is a willingness to change.
*There is the ability to joyfully grow spiritually.
*Maturity is the ability to do a job whether or not you are supervised, finish a job once it’s started, and carry money without spending it.
*And last, but not least, it’s the ability to bear an injustice without wanting to get even.
So, if we evaluate ourselves by these few defined moments of maturity and growing in Christ, are we, like the psalmist writes, “unfazed by rumor and gossip, heart ready, trusting in God, spirit firm, unperturbed, ever blessed, relaxed among enemies”?
Yeah, I’m not completely there yet, either. But we keep striving to do all that pleases God in each of our journeys knowing God will help us to grow….and be blessed. You can count on Him! His power will make you what you ought to be!
Psalm 112, The Message
1-10 Hallelujah!Blessed man, blessed woman, who fear God,
Who cherish and relish his commandments,
Their children robust on the earth,
And the homes of the upright—how blessed!
Their houses brim with wealth
And a generosity that never runs dry.
Sunrise breaks through the darkness for good people—
God’s grace and mercy and justice!The good person is generous and lends lavishly;
No shuffling or stumbling around for this one,
But a sterling and solid and lasting reputation.
Unfazed by rumor and gossip,
Heart ready, trusting in God,
Spirit firm, unperturbed,
Ever blessed, relaxed among enemies,
They lavish gifts on the poor—
A generosity that goes on, and on, and on.
An honored life! A beautiful life!
Someone wicked takes one look and rages,
Blusters away but ends up speechless.
There’s nothing to the dreams of the wicked. Nothing.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You have proven over and over to us that You are everything to us and for us. The enemy is nothing and has nothing to offer that will help us. Thank you for this Word of encouragement to us this morning. Thank you for your daily manna of your word, help, encouragement, guidance and care. Thank you for your forgiveness. Thank you for not giving up on us, but staying with us as you continue to transform us to be more and more like You. Yes, make me holy, unfazed, heart ready today!
In Jesus Name, Amen
Just thought of an old hymn that is ringing in my heart and head….(Written a few years back by Cyrus S. Nusbaum, 1898)
Would you live for Jesus, and be always pure and good?
Would you walk with Him within the narrow road?
Would you have Him bear your burden, carry all your load?
Let Him have His way with thee.
His pow’r can make you what you ought to be;
His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free;
His love can fill your soul, and you will see
’Twas best for Him to have His way with thee.
Would you have Him make you free, and follow at His call?
Would you know the peace that comes by giving all?
Would you have Him save you, so that you need never fall?
Let Him have His way with thee.
Would you in His kingdom find a place of constant rest?
Would you prove Him true in providential test?
Would you in His service labor always at your best?
Let Him have His way with thee.
