Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, prepared by then-staff at RWC in Manhattan, was originally posted on September 29, 2013.

 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Worth Living in the Fear of the Lord”

Psalm 92:6-11

The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this: 7 that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever; 8 but you, O Lord, are on high forever. 9 For behold, your enemies, O Lord, for behold, your enemies shall perish; all evildoers shall be scattered. 10 But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox; you have poured over me fresh oil. 11 My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies; my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants.

In this morning’s Psalm, we find that wisdom comes with knowing our own mortality. Even if people engage in evil and seem to flourish, they are like grass that withers. This theme and truth is also seen in the book of Ecclesiastes. All people, whether they live righteously or pursue evil, will meet the end in this life. Yet, there is hope in the life that God will establish. In the midst of the flourishing of evil, God still exalts the psalmist and anoints his head with oil.

Following God and living righteously are difficult when seeking to do it on our own strength. We see people who cheat and work the system to get ahead, and it seems as though they succeed without being held accountable for their unethical behavior. As in Psalm 73, we look at all of this and are tempted to go along with the rest of the world. 

Yet, the psalmist here shows us that it is worth living in the fear of the Lord, in righteousness, because God will exalt us and bless us. There is fullness of life in God, and even if the evil and the wicked seem to flourish, we are encouraged to trust that God will exalt us. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for continually directing my steps and guiding me into truth.  You continually show me your will and teach me your ways. You have always been my Guide even when I did not perceive that you were there, and you will never stop being my Guide.  Declare that God will guide you in all your ways!

Bible Reading for Today: Isaiah 63