Monday, November 16, 2009

Psa. 84:11, 12

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good thing does the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in thee!" (Psa. 84:11)

The metaphors of Scripture are rich with meaning. Think on these. As the sun is to nature--to all life--so is God to his world. As there would be no life anywhere--in any plants or animals or humans--were it not for the sun, so there is no true spiritual life apart from knowing Him. All who do not know Him walk in darkness.

And He is a shield as well. As was their shields to the warriors of old, protecting them from the weapons of the enemy, so God promises no evil shall befall those who place their trust entirely in Him.

Not only so. The upright have from him both favor and honor. Positively, He has promised that all that befalls them has in it a potential for their good. He who knows us altogether--sees our true needs much better than we know them ourselves--has pledged himself to supply them. It is for us to discern the good in any of the events of life and be open to receiving it.

Truly, blessed is the one who trusts in God.