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Suggested Reading: Psalm 25:12-15
The one who fears God is not perfect. David actually makes this clear in the previous verse where he prays that God will forgive his iniquity although it is great. Who then is the one who fears God? It is someone who, despite all his weaknesses, has a sincere desire to obey God. He does not view sin cheaply, but also knows that only with God is there forgiveness from sin.
David then continues to list the promises for such a person:
- God will instruct him in the way chosen for him. He will have purpose in life. He will follow that purpose with single-hearted devotion. He will not wander aimless through life chasing the one useless goal after the other, only to find that the last goal did not bring the satisfaction it promised. And so on he goes to another futile pursuit. Those who fear God will know God as their personal Guide. I experienced this in my life. The guidance isn’t always what I would like it to be, but in retrospect it has always filled me with awe at how wise that guidance was. He doesn’t speak to me through thunder from heaven either. Sometimes He just shuts doors in my face and opens another door, showing me a better way. This better way may not always feel right and easy. But I am learning to trust Him more and more as He proves faithful in His guidance. He keeps us from wasting our time on things that do not contribute to our spiritual well-being and development.
- Those who fear God will spend their days in prosperity. For those who love money, the word “prosperity” immediately conjures up images of grandiosity and self-importance. It carries the promise of big houses, expensive cars and powerful positions in life. But the original Hebrew word used here is the word, “tôb” which does not refer solely to the material things of this passing world. It is a word which says much more than that. It refers to a person spending his days living a good, pleasant and agreeable life. It alludes to a life lived with good understanding and living ethically upright. The word does carry some allusion to material prosperity, but is so much richer in meaning. To think of the word as referring only to material prosperity, will rob this verse of its deep and rich promise. It is a word that carries with it a promise of contentment –for that is true prosperity. One can have everything the heart desires and still be restless. On the other hand, one can have very little and be at complete peace with oneself and others. Paul wrote to the Philippians that he has learnt the secret to being content whether he had much or whether he had a little. To have peace that is not dependent on the stock markets and earthly possessions, is a peace that is way above the level of this earth. That is the true prosperity promised here. Charles Spurgeon wrote that it is not abundance but contentment that allows us to truly live at ease.
- These promises will extend also to the children of those who fear God. They too, get to enjoy the blessings God showers on the parents.
- God takes them into His confidence: God will share with them great and unsearchable things that was previously unknown. He calls them His friends, for who shares secrets with someone not considered a friend? This is a marvellous promise –having the all-knowing, all-wise, Creator of heaven and earth confiding in a human being who is far from perfect. But that is part of the amazingly generous character of this God we love so dearly. He has many secrets to share, but an outstanding one is the “Covenant.” That is the Covenant sealed in the blood of His own Son –Jesus Christ. It is an eternal Covenant. In this Covenant, salvation of mankind from their sins is secured. By His mercy, this Covenant is revealed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.
David contemplates all these things and then says that his eyes are always on God. It reminds me of the words written in the book of Hebrews, “Fix your eyes on Jesus…” He says he keeps his eyes on God since He is the only one who can keep him from the snares in life. Only with God will he find safety from the evil in this world.
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Ula, what a great blessing to read this “well said” message! I read with excitement…and will also share with excitement!
Jerry, thanks so much for stopping by and sharing. You’re a real special blessing to me
[...] Promises for Those who Fear the Lord (jesuscarriesme.wordpress.com) [...]
It struck me as I read your post that David considered himself to be aligned with the righteous while still knowing his own sinfulness. Yet he called himself a righteous man without seeing the apparent conflicting ideas within his own identity.
I especially liked that last point about God taking us into his confidence. That is simply overwhelmingly cool
Hi Jonny, that is so true and thanks for mentioning it. I never quite thought of it that way –David aligning himself with the righteous although he was fully aware of his imperfections. It should be an encouragement to all of us on this journey. I also find myself overwhelmed when I think about God taking us into His confidence. Thanks for the comment
Some insightful thoughts here Ula, thanks. And thanks for dropping by my blog.
Misuse of the term ‘prosperity’ has deceived many. Your view reminded me of the scripture Mic 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
The Bible gives us so many rich examples of prosperous people who did both good and bad. Abraham and David learned that however much wealth they had, God was still their anchor, and the prosperity was handed down to their offspring.
Hezekiah however showed off his wealth to the Babylonian ambassadors and lost the lot.
Contentment in whatever the situation. What a blessing.
You are welcome and thanks for your comment. What you say is so, so true!. Mic 6:8 basically sums up what our walk with the Lord is all about. Interesting point you raise about Hezekiah. I never quite thought of it that way. I’m thinking now of John who wrote that boasting about what one has and does is not from God, but from the evil influences of this world. Godliness with contentment is indeed great gain.
Hi. You wrote of purpose. Prosperity is not as many would teach it, a sign from God that all is well, “for God rains His blessings on the just and the unjust”. If a Christian finds himself to be in a prosperous position wealth-wise, his purpose in life would be to share that wealth with those less fortunate. He then becomes God’s channel of blessing. David recognised this; his purpose was to build a temple, though he wasn’t permitted to build himself, his wealth went wholly toward that goal. It wasn’t for himself. Hezekiah was also given the opportunity to be a blessing, but he didn’t recognise it when it came. Not long before the Babylonian ambassadors came to Jerusalem, do you remember what happened? Isaiah had the Lord reverse the course of the sun. Babylonians were sun worshippers. You can be absolutely sure that the Babylonians noticed this, and God would have ensured that they heard the reason why. This is why they were in Jerusalem. Not to see how wealthy Hezekiah was, but to enquire after a God who had the power to move their god backwards! Right then Hezekiah should have recognised his purpose. To glorify God! But sadly he failed; he could have changed the course of history! Let none of us think that wealth or prosperity is the ultimate blessing; it is merely a means to an end…to glorify Him who is the source of all things.
Thank Ula, I needed to hear this today. I’m printing it up to reread later. I’m doing the Beth Moore bible study on Seeking a heart like David’s and I’d like to share this with my group. Thanks, Lisa
You’re so welcome Lisa. God’s timing is always perfect. All the best with the Bible Study. Hugs
@ brakelite: Wow, thanks. You really brought new insights to this part of Hezekiah’s journey. All we received is a gift from God, so we can’t boast as if we didn’t receive it. That’s denying the Giver. And yes, I agree. Whatever we receive is an instrument in His hands. Thanks for the comments