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Listen to the devotional here: https://bit.ly/3yGS246
1 Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. 2 Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. 3 Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. 4 He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the Lord is gracious and merciful. 5 He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant. 6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations. 7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. 8 They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. 9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name. 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever. (Psalm 111 New Revised Standard Version of The Bible)
Happy Thursday, ConCafe Family! May the joy of the Lord be with you dear Friend, and may it ignite a revival in your life of sharing that joy with others, especially those who need joy in their lives. Please be in prayer for those in need; pray for one another, and pray for yourselves.
This is an awesome psalm that begs for us to start with the last verse to fully understand the entire sentiment behind its having been written. So, verse 10 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever." The writer is sharing his heart. If this is from the hand of Solomon, well we know his story and how he came to be known as the wisest king of all time. His wisdom came from God, and know knowing to ask Him for it, came from the fear, i.e., deep reverent respect for God, and so asked God to give him the discerning heart with which he could reign the people of God. The disciple James in 1:5 explains that if anyone is lacking wisdom, they should ask God, and it will be given to them. Some of the wisest people I ever met were people whose hearts belonged to God. And these were not people who sought the spotlight, but rather where they lived and worked, knew what needed to be done, and they did it. Usually it was a nugget of pure wisdom that blessed me as I heard it, sometimes even changed a situation or a meeting or gathering. It was God Himself present and speaking because in those people's hearts, God was there.
Do you possess the mind of Christ? Is your perspective on life one just like Jesus would have? Does your vision speak volumes of praise towards God towards God's creation? Can you see God's hand in all that was made and does that make your heart joyful? Is every breath you take one that blesses you and makes you glad that you're alive? Do you see your reflection in the mirror and does that remind you of God's grace and forgiveness that He gave to you? This psalm goes hand in hand with the other scriptures we have studied for this week. The idea of being set apart for God is confirmed in this psalmist's writing. For all God has done for us, what is the least we can do for Him? God sought to establish an eternal covenant with us, and our seeking to be like Christ in the world blesses Him and His work.
PRAYER: Loving God, fill us with You and thus increase our wisdom, for we desire to know You and share You with all whom we meet. Remove from us the things that tend to drag us down, instead lift us up, and this we pray in Christ Jesus' holy name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Seek to grow in wisdom! Ask God!
Receive my blessings of love and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
