February 11
"Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes..." -Psalm 112:4-8 (NIV)
February can bring days with little light and long spells of darkness. However, the Psalmist assures us that God's light is still available for the righteous that are living in dark times and circumstances. Are you experiencing dark times in your life? Do you ever feel overwhelmed with problems, poor health, fearful circumstances, financial woes, or loss? Psalm 112 assures us that many blessings are available even in dark times including honor, prosperity, security, and freedom from fear. Scripture assures us today that when we reverence the Lord and joyfully follow his Word then God's blessings will follow. How can we do this? Our text tells us we can do so by being: just, generous, compassionate, staying right before God, lending freely, and trusting in God.
Generosity can cure two problems having money can create. The rich may sometimes harm others in their desire to accumulate more wealth. This may not be deliberate but can be a result of policies designed to gain more profit such as ignoring expensive environmental laws. An attitude of fairness and generosity can remove this way of thinking. Yet money can be a snare for anyone no matter their level of income. Generosity requires that we put our trust in God and not in our money, to gain real security. We all want to live without fear; The Psalmist teaches us that fear of God can lead to a fearless life. To fear God means to respect and revere him as God Almighty. When you trust God completely to care for you, then you will find all of your other fears will diminish. Trust the Lord today! Christ will take care of Tomorrow!
Prayer: God, Help me trust in you more than money. Amen.
Meditation For The Day: Generosity removes animosity.
Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Winter Renewal Paperback – November 25, 2017, by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson (Author)
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