Week of August 17

How do you handle life’s testing times? Perhaps you worry. Maybe you even lash out at those you love. Others will deny the situation and seek to avoid confronting the trouble! I read numerous accounts of people on social medial who refuse to face their troubles and eventually find that they are overwhelmed by the results. The psalmist pens Psalm 112 as a reminder that our troubles provide us with an occasion to fill our heart’s reservoir with godly wisdom instead of worldly vanity. As Robert Leighton says, “Adversity is the diamond dust heaven polishes its jewels with.”

The writer of today’s focal passage took great care with his design because he wanted to make a powerful statement about following God’s way—even in adverse circumstances. This wisdom psalm develops its theme by contrasting the righteous and the wicked and the rewards of obeying God’s law (Handbook). He fashioned the psalm as an acrostic poem consisting of 22 lines (EBC). Each one begins with a successive letter in the Hebrew alphabet. We also should notice that all the stated rewards apply to this life. The wicked are doomed to fail and disappear. There is certainly no “pie in the sky” utopian dream here, so let’s dig deeper into the psalm and seek God’s help for us when we face testing times.

Build life upon reverence for God. The path to success in life is spelled out clearly in the psalm, and it begins with fearing the Lord (v. 1). This means that we “honor,” or “respect,” or “obey” Him. The successful person knows the significance of finding pleasure in doing what Yahweh commands. Notice that there are immediate promised rewards. This person and his family, including his descendants, will experience prosperity and wealth and will be powerful in the land (vv. 2-3; Handbook). Overall, this person’s way of life helps to build up the kingdom of God on earth (v. 3, “righteousness”; cf. Matthew 5:6; 6:10). We are familiar with such a theology, even in our generation, but all too many of us fail to incorporate suffering into such a spiritual worldview. Therefore, we need to look ahead at the following verses.

Use adversity to produce godly attitudes and actions. The way of godly wisdom may not always seem to be beneficial, especially when an injustice occurs. The shadow of adversity will fall at times across the path of the godly man and woman. Yes, even a good person must sometimes walk along a dark road. Nevertheless, the righteous one is gracious and compassionate, like God, regardless of what may happen (see 111:4b). This difficulty may come, for example, in the form of bad news or some foe (vv. 7 and 8). 

Serve others even as others cause you suffering. This righteous person, despite his or her suffering, will do his or her utmost to relieve the suffering of other upright people. Sound familiar? Indeed! Our Savior provides us with the supreme example of suffering for others. In fact, He took suffering a step further by dying on behalf of sinners like you and me. So, why should we cultivate righteousness when bad things can happen to good people?

Extend God’s kingdom in this world. There are many ways to extend God’s kingdom of good and right, and the wise person knows that offering help to the helpless is one of them (vv. 5, 7 and 9). This person holds the idea of “right and just” not only in mind but in the actual deeds of his hands. Notice that the truly wise person has not built such a tall wall of justice that it eclipses his view of the cross life. We may even say that he counters the unfairness he receives by offering help fairly to others. He lends, not as a handout, but as a loan that he will recover without demanding interest (cf. 15:5; cf. 37:26; EBC). His behavior becomes a testimony to the truthfulness of God’s way of life as recorded in His word (cf. 111:7). His actions give witness to the “uprightness of the Lord himself” (111:8). Notice that God is good, and He exalts His faithful ones in time. God’s beneficence grows like a powerful tree from the soil of adversity.

God’s final vindication proves His way is best. The wise person holds to the precepts of God because he or she knows that they are proving what will last (cf. 111:8). This person is “steadfast” (v. 7) and will never be “shaken” (v. 6; “no fear”). Despite life’s surprises, this person’s wise living is not a surprise to others. This faithful soul stays true to the path of righteousness regardless of what comes his or her way (cf. James 1:12). God will one day permit this person to “look in triumph on his foes” (cf. 118:7; 2 Thessalonians 1:9-10; ESV).

Funny how little daily events serve as larger life truths. I had a college friend who one day tossed an avocado seed into his sock drawer. I’m unsure why he did it, but he soon forgot that it was there. Sometime later he opened that dark drawer and the seed had sprouted! I suppose the adversity of a dark sock drawer could not keep that seed from doing what it was designed to do. Adversity in the lives of the faithful will produce the rewards of righteousness to the glory of our good God (cf. 2 Timothy 4:6-8).

1. Jot down the main areas in your current faith walk where you are facing adversity. Ponder ways that you may turn these circumstances into a witness to God’s way of righteousness and justice.

2. For Families: Another year of school is likely happening in your house! This passage teaches us all to head into our lives with God with four important reminders for a successful journey with Him. Share with your kids that we are to “practice what we preach,” or live faithfully what we believe; respond with goodness to evil that comes against us; let our words and deeds point people to God; and stay true, no matter what happens!

In each of the days of the first week of school, encourage your kids to choose one of these four reminders and focus on living that truth the whole day. For example, if they begin school today, invite them to think of a way they can practice what they preach in their classes and lunch rooms and sports practices.

If your teens plan to share about going to youth camp, remind them to say only things that are appropriate about other people, and use language that reflects their love for God. Encourage them to invite some of their Christian friends at school to practice these four truths this week along with them!

May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock