Overview: (Kel) It enumerates the blessings that God gives to people who [obey] him... and who do works of righteousness. They will flourish, become wealthy, be kept safe and secure, find honor and fame, and ultimately see victory over the wicked. In describing the blessings, however, the psalmist gives some hints that they are not necessarily immediate or untroubled. The psalmist lives in darkness and needs light; he has enemies and needs victory, he hears reports of disaster and must remain steadfast. The blessings may come in and through the difficulties of this life, but they will come for sure in the end.
(1) a. Blessings for those who obey
112:1 Praise the LORD!
How blessed is the one who obeys the LORD,
who takes great delight in keeping his commands.
Those who obey and take great delight in keeping His commandments are blessed and the blessings are described in v.2-3.
who takes great delight in keeping his commands.
Those who obey and take great delight in keeping His commandments are blessed and the blessings are described in v.2-3.
Reflection: Are we motivated to obey? When we obey, are we delighted in doing so? The blessings can be the reason that we will be delighted.
b. Blessings in special time
112:4 In the darkness a light shines for the godly,
for each one who is merciful, compassionate, and just.
for each one who is merciful, compassionate, and just.
This special blessing is even in adversary a light will shine on the godly. Note, the obedience ones (v.1) are now referred to as the godly. Plus, the godly characters are spelled out as "meriful, compassionate, and just." In other words, when we obey God's Word we should have these characters as well.
Reflection: When a person obeys God's word they internalize the characters of God and then reflect that in their lives. Do we? Or do we just obey casually and never internalize? With the help of the Holy Spirit we should do better than the godly in this psalm.
c. Practices of those who obeys
112:5 It goes well for the one who generously lends money,
and conducts his business honestly. " It goes well for the one who... " paralleled v.1 " How blessed is the one who..." That means, those who obey God have godly characters (v.4) and the godly characters live like this (v.5). Note the ideas of "generously lending money and conducting his business honestly." v.5 and "generously giving to the needy and his integrity endures" v.9 are repeated.
Reflection: Godly characters are practical. If we are merciful and compassionate we will not keep the money (which are blessed by God) to ourselves. We will generously lend and even give to the needy. If we are just, we will conduct our business honestly and with integrity. Do we?
During the thanksgiving holiday let me share with you my principle of giving. First, look for needs in the local church and universal church. Then, the needs of the poor and needy in the community (preferable through faith based organizations).
(2) "The darkness" v.4 is explained further in v.7-10 as the "bad news" v.7, "his enemies" v.8, "the wicked" v.10. He trusted God and was firm v.7-8. He will be vindicated and honored v.9.
Audrey
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