What do you trust in?

 Psalm 146:1–10 (ESV): 

Praise the Lord! 

 Praise the Lord, O my soul! 

 2  I will praise the Lord as long as I live; 

I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. 

 3  Put not your trust in princes, 

in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. 

 4  When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; 

on that very day his plans perish. 

 5  Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, 

whose hope is in the Lord his God, 

 6  who made heaven and earth, 

the sea, and all that is in them, 

  who keeps faith forever; 

 7  who executes justice for the oppressed, 

who gives food to the hungry. 

  The Lord sets the prisoners free; 

 8  the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. 

  The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; 

the Lord loves the righteous. 

 9  The Lord watches over the sojourners; 

he upholds the widow and the fatherless, 

but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. 

 10  The Lord will reign forever, 

your God, O Zion, to all generations. 

  Praise the Lord! 

What do you trust in?

Are there things and people that you trust in other than God? Material goods will break or rust, and people at some point will let you down. Nothing and no-one else can offer you the salvation you need. People may be able to help you out for a bit, even for as long as they live, but eventually their support will end and run out. What then? 

Only God is everlasting and ever-loving. His love, favour, grace, compassion, comfort and support will never die. He ‘keeps faith forever’! He executes justice and gives food to the hungry, He sets people free and heals, He lifts up those who are down, looks out for travellers and takes especial care of the fatherless and widow. Whatever it is you need God can provide - are you asking Him to? He never runs out, He never gets fed up of hearing your pleas, even if they are the same ones. His breath will never end, His plans will never fade or be forgotten. He will be there whenever you call upon Him.

Are you totally trusting in God? God has everything in His mighty hands. You don’t need to take responsibility for solving all of the issues and problems that you see, or depend on other people or things to solve the difficulties that you face. Instead you can trust God with them. God has the power, resources, knowledge, compassion and kindness that you need. In times when you feel unsettled, where do you run to? Is there a particular person that you call, or an activity that you do to try yo make you feel better? Have you tried praying and reflecting on who God is instead? For ‘Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God’. This does not mean that you shouldn't talk to people about what is going on, or never do anything other than pray, but what is your first response? Nothing and no-one else can bless your life and give you eternal hope like God can. So, ‘put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation’ but hope in the Lord your God who will reign forever. God has made all of creation, and He has kept it running for however long the world has existed for, He reliably causes the sun to rise and set each day, so He can take care of you and your life, and those you care about. Hope in Him. The 'Lord loves the righteous', think about those you love and what you would do for them, then consider that God loves you the same way, so why not trust in Him?

Do you fear the Lord?

Psalm 112:1–10 (ESV): 

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. 

 5  It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; 

who conducts his affairs with justice. 

 6  For the righteous will never be moved; 

he will be remembered forever. 

 7  He is not afraid of bad news; 

his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. 

 8  His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, 

until he looks in triumph on his adversaries. 

 9  He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; 

his righteousness endures forever; 

his horn is exalted in honour. 

 10  The wicked man sees it and is angry; 

he gnashes his teeth and melts away; 

the desire of the wicked will perish! 

‘Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments!’ What does it really mean to live as one who fears the Lord and delights in His commandments? A person who fears the Lord is not just a good, happy person who says that they know there is a God. The person who ‘fears the Lord’ is someone who is in awe of God and faithfully obeys Him, in the big and that small matters. Are you such a person? 

It is important to consider this as the psalm states, ‘blessed is the man who fears the Lord’. There is an automatic, guaranteed favour upon those who fear God. This includes a blessing upon their children - they will be mighty, plus their generation will be blessed! All because a person fears the Lord. So if you want to make an impact in the world, want your children to be mighty, and you want to have a positive influence in your generation - learn how to fear the Lord! Helpfully, this psalm gives some indicators as to what someone who fears God looks like, so that you can be someone who is blessed of God who influences generations.

One of the first elements that is expressed of such a person is, ‘Light dawns in the darkness for the upright’. Oh dear, that doesn’t sound much fun does it?! There will be darkness for the one who fears God. At times it will feel scary, confusing and difficult for there will be dark times. Yet when the upright one demonsrtates grace, mercy and righteousness, light will dawn (v4). This is not saying the light will obliterate the pain and difficulty of the dark times, but that one who fears God will come to notice a measure of light. A direction, help and hope which will, in time, transform the darkness just like the dawn does. For the dawn doesn’t remain a glimmer, but it is the beginning of the assurance that a new day is arriving. For the righteous person, when they remain gracious, merciful and righteous throughout the difficult dark times, they demonstrate their faith and fear of the Lord God through conducting themselves in a right manner. Their faith and godly conduct brings an undeniable hope and assurance that is set not on what is around them, but who they know is above them. The person who fears God is someone who is seen as faithful and good throughout the good and the bad seasons. This reminds me that the New Testament says, ‘by their fruits you shall know them’ (Matthew 7:16). This means that you can tell what type of person someone is, not for what they say, but by the results of their words and actions. For when someone produces good fruit, it is because they are healthy and good on the inside. Their faith is genuine and their fear of God real. This psalm expresses the same thing. You can tell if a person lives the faith they profess if they continue to pursue righteousness, grace and mercy throughout the tough times. When you are under pressure, and see that you are in the darkness, do you maintain your integrity? Do you steadfastly believe and trust in God, remaining righteous, gracious and merciful to those around you, ready to forgive and love? This is the way of the one who fears the Lord.

The one who fears God also considers carefully how they handle money. ‘It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice.’ Being a good steward of the resources you have is important to God, and so it should be to you too. Do you deal fairly with money? Are you honest about the taxes you pay, the way you lend or borrow? Do you pay people back, and are you generous with what you have? If someone were to look at your bank account today, how would you feel, and what would they see? Your bank account reveals what you value as you spend money on the things that you deem necessary and important. So, does the way you handle money reflect the values of God? He wants to give His righteous ones ‘wealth and riches’, could God trust you with handling such favour well, for the glory of His kingdom?

Next, how do you respond to bad news? Whether that is national, international, or personal bad news. What is your reaction?  Some people become full of fear and grief and these emotions dictate their response. Although it is natural to have emotional responses to the things that occur, is your faith affected? ‘For the righteous will never be moved’. No matter what hits the one who fears the Lord, their trust in God, faith and faithfulness will not falter. They will get emotionally and physically impacted, but they do not let their emotions overcome them. Instead their emotions are overcome by faith. Their hearts are firm not because of circumstance, not because they do not feel anything, or that they do not experience difficulties, but because they trust in God more than anything else. So what directs your responses when tragic news comes? You can be overwhelmed, hurt and disappointed, but do those emotions direct your actions, or does faith in God? Even when it does not make sense to you, even when you are in deep pain, what is the guiding factor in your responses - are feelings or faith in control? You can have a heart that is steady and free from fear (v8) when the only One you fear is the Lord God as then you will never be moved.

The one who fears the Lord will also demonstrate concern and support for others, namely the poor. Do you notice those people and show care to them? This psalm simply says that the one who fears God, ‘has given freely to the poor’. They pay attention to those less well off than themselves, and give to them without expecting anything in return. Throughout scripture we can see that God highly values the poor. He has deep regard and consideration for them, and so as one who fears Him, your response should reflect His. God has been generous, loving and giving to each of us, and so by taking care of others who need it, we have the great privilege of demonstrating a small part of who God is by generously sharing what He given you. 

In all of your affairs, as someone who fears the Lord, conduct them in righteousness, and generosity. Do what is right. There are no elements of life that are excluded from God’s expectation that you behave in a righteous manner. He expects those who fear Him to live lives of integrity, no matter the twists and turns they experience. When a man or woman of God lives in this way, they show that they are moved only by Almighty God. People can try and catch them out, but only righteousness, generosity, grace and mercy are revealed. No wonder their generation and future generations are blessed! ‘Blessed is the man who fears the Lord’! - will that be your story?

Psalm 49

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. 

*1* Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, 
*2* both low and high, rich and poor together! 
*3* My mouth shall speak wisdom; he meditation of my heart shall be understanding. 
*4* I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre. 
*5* Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, 
*6* those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? 
*7* Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, 
*8* for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, 
*9* that he should live on forever and never see the pit. 
*10*For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others. 
*11*Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names. 
*12*Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish. 
*13*This is the path of those who have foolish confidence; yet after them people approve of their boasts. /Selah/ 
*14*Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; death shall be their shepherd, and the upright shall rule over them in the morning. Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell. 
*15*But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. /Selah/ 
*16*Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. 
*17*For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him. 
*18*For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed —and though you get praise when you do well for yourself— 
*19*his soul will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never again see light. 
*20*Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish. 

Who is this message for? 

‘*1* Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, 

*2* both low and high, rich and poor together!’

Everyone! All people can learn and appreciate what the sons of Korah have learned, all people can benefit from their understanding and observations - are you going to as we read this psalm?

‘*3* My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. 

*4* I will incline my ear to a proverb; ‘

V3-4 The writers of this psalm, the sons of Korah, are confident in what they are bringing. They have experienced life, and have observed and learnt enough to become wise about what they are sharing with us.  I like the fact that this psalm is written by ‘the sons of Korah’. This implies that it is a group effort, a combined understanding. They must have reflected and considered together the composition. The result is the combined wisdom of a group of men of God. They have become men of understanding anf wisdom because they listen to one another and are still willing to learn as they declare ‘I will incline my ear…’. They are practicing what they preach, willing to learn, obey and understand more. Are you willing to take onboard their knowledge?

Here is the crux of the matter these sons of Korah have identified and want to speak about in this psalm ;

‘*5* Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, 

*6* those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? ‘

These men have realised that rich people can be scary. It gives people who have wealth a power that they would not usually have, and others are afraid of it. Those that are sinful and dishonest are also scary, but what good does running scared do? If people who are cheats, rich or wrongdoers come against us, why does that rock us? Can you not see what they are trusting in - money?! what good will that do them long-term?

‘*7* Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, 

*8* for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, 

*9* that he should live on forever and never see the pit. ‘

The reality is, that no other human being can own your life, no matter what schemes or tricks they try to use to make it seem like it. No man's wealth can own you or your soul. It is your life, and God is in ultimate command and in control. The length of your days is determined by Him, no-one else - no matter how much or little money you have. You cannot pay a thing to extend or shorten your days. In the same vane, you cannot buy your salvation, or that of anyone else either, ‘the ransom of their life is costly’. This is not in terms of money, but a far greater cost. We know that it was immensely costly to God as he sacrificed His only son Jesus, so that we all can have the ransom for our souls paid. Only the death of the perfect son of God was enough to cover the debt of our sin, and it is paid. Through Jesus is the only way that we can escape ‘the pit’. Have you accepted the price paid for your life? For your soul? 

*10* For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others. 

*11* Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names. 

*12* Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish. 

If you take a look around and observe the community/world you live in, you will notice that the wise and the foolish both die. The kind and the horrid, the rich and the poor - all have the same destination and that is death. They take nothing with them, all the things that were important in their life are now insignificant. the things they owned cease to be theirs no matter the importance, wealth, or renown of the individual when they were alive. It does not matter what stuff you had in Earthly life once you are dead. The reality is - just like the animals, we too die and are forgotten. 

*13* This is the path of those who have foolish confidence; yet after them people approve of their boasts. /Selah/ 

*14* Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; death shall be their shepherd, and the upright shall rule over them in the morning. Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell. 

*15* But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. /Selah/ 

The foolish people do not listen, they go their own way and do not consider that death will one day come to them, or consider how that should impact their life. Instead they go, unprepared for eternity into the grave. 

This is not the same for everyone, “God will ransom my soul’- Some people can have confidence as their life on Earth draws to an end that God will save them. Those that have lived in such a way to be acceptable to God through Jesus; when their time on Earth ends, they know God has a plan for them. Those who endeavour to live a life of wisdom; following God, not money, stuff or others they can have confidence that God will receive them. Where do you think your eternal destination will be? Are you living to receive God’s ransom and reception?

*16* Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. 

*17* For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him. 

*18* For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed —and though you get praise when you do well for yourself— 

*19* his soul will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never again see light. 

*20* Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish. 

Another reminder that we need not be afraid of one another - of those who have much (or those who have little). When others do well for themselves, do not worry about it, but remember that all earthly things are temporal whether that be money, possessions or property - none of it is owned when the person’s life ends. The reality is, people will admire and commend those who have nice things (v18), but even that praise is short-lived. What is long-lasting is death. What will happen to the rich and poor, the wise and foolish and all those in between is that all will die. The praise of people will no longer be heard on that day, the honours and blessings of Earth will have disappeared - what will remain? 

What are you living for; th temporal comfort on Earth with people's praise? or are you living life focused on receiving the ransom and reception of God? 

The Seventh Day

 

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. *2*And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. *3*So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. 

Genesis 2:1

God rested, most of us realise this fact about the 7th day, but did you notice that God also blessed the 7th day and made it holy? He didn’t do that  for His own benefit, after all, how would God bless himself? Therefore it must be for the benefit of His creation. 

So,  what does it mean that the 7th day is blessed and holy? 

This 7th day, at the start of creation is marked out as significant and highlighted as different rom every other day. Every other day, things were made, God worked, but this day, something different happened, God rested, therefore signifying that it was set apart and significant. 

God, at the very start gave the 7th day high value, He wanted the 7th day to look different from the rest of the week. He dedicated it to rest and reflection. 

Does your 7th day look different to every other day? Do you set it apart in some way?

God next tells us this day is ‘blessed’. This means it has good bestowed upon it and it is consecrated. Therefore it should be a day that is used for noble purpose. It should be a day of contemplation and enjoyment of the work already completed, a day when there’s a different focus and routine. A day that we choose to do something good, and where we appreciate the good in life. 

The 7th day is also holy, therefore it must be set apart for religious purpose, dedicated to God. This conjures the ideas of meeting others with the same beliefs, building and encouraging one another up, declaring God’s goodness, doing something with a God-ward focus.  Taking time to see the good we, others and God have done and appreciating that. Sharing time acknowledging the creator. 

This is why, as christians, we usually meet up on a Sunday, it’s not just some cultural tradition, but a mandate that God has infused into the creation of the world! God has spoken that this day is blessed and holy - are you ensuring that it has this significant place in your life, are you treating your 7th day with his value like God does?