They Will Have No Fear of Bad News

They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. (Psalm 112:7)

Ps. 112; Ps. 56:4; II Kgs. 22:2, 6:16-17; Job 23:11; Pr. 29:25; Isa. 26:3-4; Acts 4:10

What Is God Saying?

The psalms are the mountain ranges of the Scriptures-inspiring, uplifting, awesome, beautiful. Jesus quoted from them many times. Out of 283 Old Testament quotes, 116 are from the Psalms. We are blessed to turn to our Psalm of today. Psalms 111 and 112 are close cousins. They are identical in form, each consisting of twenty-two phrases that begin with successive letters in the Hebrew alphabet. They are both songs of praise. The former exalts the majesty of the eternal God. The second point refers to the blessed life of the person who fears, or better, the one who respects and acknowledges God's holiness, power, and mercy.

One of the great, recurring themes of the Psalms is trust in God. As notes are woven into the fabric of a symphony, appearing and reappearing in various sections of the orchestra, this Psalm awakens and enforces the truth that trust in God is the basis of blessedness in people. ‘Praise the Lord! Blessed is the person who fears the Lord. Blessed is the one who delights in his word’ (Ps. 112:1). If we fear God, we will be fearless before everything else. We will nurture a firm and steady heart if we find delight in his word. Note the other verses of this Psalm, ‘Light rises in the darkness for the upright’ (4), ‘The righteous will never be moved’ (6), and ‘Their heart will be steady and they will not be afraid’ (8).

How Does This Apply To Us?

When we fear God (we put him first and live as if he were first), we will live without fear in a world that loves darkness rather than light. We need to hear Elisha's voice saying, ‘Fear not, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ Trusting in God, we will have a steady heart.

Pray With Me

Bring me, Lord, to a deeper trust, to a firmer heart. When my spirit falters, lead me to trust in you. I overcome temptation and let go of worry as I trust in you. So I pray that you will give me a heart that does not waver. My feet are set upon the Rock that cannot move.

Give me a heart that will not retreat because I am following him who set his face steadfastly toward Jerusalem. Give me a heart that will not desert, but joined to him who, having loved his own who were in the world, loved them unto the end. Give me a firm heart with hope and trust in Jesus's promises.

I look to You, O God. Your love never falters. The riches of your grace are never exhausted. The perfection of your goodness is unmarred. Underneath are the everlasting arms so that I will possess a firmer heart. I can do what I must for you.

For the glory of Him whose heart is firm in its love for me. Amen.

Moving On In The Life of Prayer

This Psalm opens as every prayer should, with ‘Praise the Lord.’ We are on the threshold of prayer when we kneel in reverence, delight in the Lord's Word, and praise him for his everlasting mercy. Prayer continues as, in trust, we lay all our needs and problems at the golden altar. In love, we bring others by name before the Throne of Grace. In confidence, we listen for the still, small voice. Then, as we close our prayer, we go out with joy and fearless love, for we now have a firm heart, trusting the Lord all the way.