“Praise the Lord! How blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments” (Psalm 112:1).

Psalm 112

The person who fears the Lord: “How blessed is the man who fears the Lord” (Psalm 112:1).

The person who delights in God’s commandments: “Who greatly delights in His commandments” (Psalm 112:1).

The upright person: “The generation of the upright will be blessed” (Psalm 112:2).

The gracious person: “He is gracious and compassionate and righteous” (Psalm 112:4).

The compassionate person: “He is gracious and compassionate and righteous” (Psalm 112:4).

The righteous person: “He is gracious and compassionate and righteous” (Psalm 112:4).

The steadfast person: “His heart is steadfast” (Psalm 112:7a).

The trusting person: “Trusting in the Lord” (Psalm 112:7b).

The fearless person: “His heart is upheld, he will not fear” (Psalm 112:8).

The generous person: “He has given freely to the poor” (Psalm 112:9).

Uncover, underline, and meditate on each descriptive term as you deliberate and dwell on this short but power-packed passage.

Like a giant, century-and-a-half-old Ozark Mountain bur oak tree with a trunk as wide as a Volkswagen bug, as tall as a cell tower, and with mighty branches extending as steadfastly as a tempered-steel railway carrying thousands of life-producing acorns for generations yet to come, a man or woman of God is rewarded with legacy, the crown jewel of God’s richest blessings.

The requirements of a godly man or woman are far more rigorous than a marathon run through the mountains of southwest Missouri. I’ve embarked upon both endeavors, and the heavenward calling of the psalm is infinitely more demanding and equally more rewarding.

Waking up every morning with a mind set on running the race laid out for us in this psalm is the greatest race of all!

Look at the rewards offered along the way: blessed (v.1), almighty heritage (v.2), enduring righteousness (v.3), light arising in the darkness (v.4), life goes well (v.5), finish well (v.5), unshakeable (v.6), legacy (v.6), no fear (v.7), enduring righteousness (v.9), and honored (v.9).

Our mission is clear, our calling is high, and our destination is glorious. “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrew 12:1b).

• 1 Timothy 6:11 – “But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.”
  • How do you describe your personal calling to live as a man of God or a woman of God?

• Deuteronomy 33:1 – “Now this is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the sons of Israel before his death.”
  • How does the legacy of Ruth, Deborah, Moses, Daniel, Joseph, David, Mary, and other men and women of God inspire your heart?

• Psalm 78:4 – “We will not conceal them from their children, but tell to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wondrous works that He has done.”
  • Describe the legacy you desire after your days on earth are over.

• 2 Timothy 2:22 – “Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”
  • Describe the legacy of a life that is dedicated to disciple-making.

• Matthew 6:20-21 – “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
  1 Corinthians 3:11-15 – “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”
  • Describe a heavenly legacy.
    THE SHEPHERD’S CALL

    John 13:15 – ​“For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.”

    From today’s scripture, how does ​THE​ Shepherd inspire ​you​ to shepherd ​your​ flock?

    MINUTE OF MEDITATION

    “But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11).

    PRAYER

    A​doration, ​C​onfession, ​T​hanksgiving, ​S​upplication