Honor

Good Morning! 

This morning I would like to look at a Psalm we don’t often consider. Psalms is a teaching tool. Psalms 111 is one of the teaching tools that was used to teach the Hebrew alphabet to students. Each line of the Psalm (in the Hebrew language) began with the next sequential letter in the Hebrew alphabet.

My great-granddaughter, Cosette, has been coming over several times a week to visit her daddy as a part of his visitation rights. One of the purchases Miss Norma and I made when the greats were born is little mats that hook together, with each square having a letter of the alphabet. Cosy will be five years old next week and was going to Pre-school before the pandemic caused a shutdown. Heather and I have been working together to help Cosy continue to develop her learning skills. So, I was quite pleased when I returned from an errand last week to see the mats laid out in alphabetical order.

Back to the Psalm …

Psalm 111 English Standard Version (ESV)

111 [a] 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 splendor and majesty is his work,
    and his righteousness endures forever.

4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
    the Lord is gracious and merciful.

5 He provides food for those who fear him;
    he remembers his covenant forever.

6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
    in giving them the inheritance 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!

Footnotes:

Psalm 111:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, each line beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet

Let’s focus in on that last verse – verse 10.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The word “fear” has several meanings. Strong’s Concordance lists four:

1.       fear, terror

2.       awesome or terrifying thing (object causing fear)

3.       fear (of God), respect, reverence, piety

4.       revered

In the context used, the most likely applicable definition is “reverence”. Our ability to understand God’s purpose for us grows as our respect for Him grows. I can only speak for my relationship with God … but I find that I am not afraid of God but rather recognize His power and authority over my life. I don’t think of God as waiting to give me a smack down when I sin but rather applying His correct and righteous discipline as any Father would do for His son.

One of His commandments given to Moses was to honor our Father and Mother. I believe God gave this command so that we would learn to pay the same reverent respect to Him as our heavenly Father. In my case, learning to respect my earthly father was a stretch … since my father had made some life choices that were harmful for me and my siblings. Ultimately, I came to realize that God’s command was for my benefit and was regardless of my feelings towards Dad.

When I say this, I recognize that some fathers have engaged in activities that are very personal and horrendous to others. I fully understand the hard feelings a young man or woman might have when dealing with abuse … either physical or sexual. Each of us must trust that God will deal appropriately with those individuals … my Dad for his choices that harmed me and my siblings; the fathers who abused their children. I have no doubt that God is capable to administer needed punishment for such actions.

Returning to the Psalm, as we continue to learn to revere God (and such is a continuing learning process), we learn that He is capable of loving us beyond all human measure and providing for our needs both in this life and the life to come.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

Prayer: I praise You, my Father God, for Your bountiful nature that has shielded me and provided for me all the days of my life.  In Jesus’ Name … Amen.

Scripture for today: Psalms 111