Psalm 112 The Happy Life

Intro:

-Discipleship Pastor

-Married to Canaan, Mom to Brave and Josiah

English Standard Version Psalm 112

112  Praise the LORD!

Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,

who greatly delights in his commandments!

2  His offspring will be mighty in the land;

the generation of the upright will be blessed.

3  Wealth and riches are in his house,

and his righteousness endures forever.

4  Light dawns in the darkness for the upright;

he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.

5  It is well with the man who deals generously and lends;

who conducts his affairs with justice.

6  For the righteous will never be moved;

he will be remembered forever.

7  He is not afraid of bad news;

his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.

8  His heart is steady; he will not be afraid,

until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.

9  He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor;

his righteousness endures forever;

his horn is exalted in honor.

10  The wicked man sees it and is angry;

he gnashes his teeth and melts away;

the desire of the wicked will perish!

-Open in prayer

Have you ever heard someone say, I thought when you became a Christian or got baptised or joined a group that I would be easier? And because of their definition of an easy life was equated to a happy life..christianity was not what it was cracked up to be. Life was still hard. and challenges still came.

The Psalmist in 112 shares with us that our Christian life can be fulfilling and with joy but it does not mean it is always going to be easy. And it definitely doesn’t look like what the world tells us easy is. The world looks at easy as something quick and something with instant gratification. It does not adore or hold to a high regard of commitment, time, and loyalty.

The Psalmist in vs 1-2 opens up with praise and adoration towards God because he knows that is what will set his heart and mind right for the day. Before one ever gets into the day why not speak and praise and blessing to God. What would that do to your frame of mind if you committed to speaking praise over your day rather than pity yourself for having to go to work.

You have a job that provides for you. You are going to schppl so that you can get a job that provides for you. Thank you God!

He then goes into the value of committing to following his commandments. Not just committing but taking delight. As we delight in God; take time to mediate on what he wants for our life. Rather than looking at it oh i “have todo this”. I get to live in step with Christ. I get to live in purity in my minds, heart and body.I get to have a clean mouth and not give into gossip.

Holiness and happiness are not at odds. Matthew 5:8

Matthew 5:8 ESV

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

I don’t know about you but I want to see God. I want to know Him more and more. I dont’ want to go through the routine of life and miss out on what God has for me for that temporary fix.

What’s that temporary fix for you? That causes you not to keep to the commands of God?

-is it moving from job to job because you feel like the world is out to get you and you bosses all are the worst

-is it giving into talking bad about someone because you have to have the newest tea on someone

-is it giving into lust of the eyes because you are too lazy to bounce your eyes

You are blessed with really happiness when you delight in the Lord’s commands. The world struggles to obtain happiness and always feels the need to produce the next things because they are missing the very thing that will satisfy which is Jesus.

I believe God wants to bless you and pour out his favor. And that does not mean you can not enjoy the things the world has to offer. But its measuring it out and asking yourself and what expense? This is not prosperity gospel either. This is bible. Prosperity gospel is if I just have enough faith and put more trust in God my health, finance, and future will work out. Faith is good but the Psalmist is saying, for us to have enduring righteousness. That no matter my health, my wealth, or state of being I will seve God and follow his teachings. Not the fleeting nature of these earthly things. And recognizing that anything and everything i have comes from God really. So because of this i cane live with security and generosity.

English Standard Version Psalm 112

It is well with the man who deals generously and lends;

who conducts his affairs with justice.

Instead of what more can i get, what more can I give? Which is hard for me. I have to work on a mindset of living from abundance not lack. I may not have all that I want but I have all that I need

*Story of Canaan and I first year of marriage and finance talk*

*stories of faith with finances and stretching out giving muscles; build now*

I truly have all that I need and the best is yet to come because daily i get to be refined by Christ and become more like Him

English Standard Version Psalm 112

7  He is not afraid of bad news;

his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.

8  His heart is steady; he will not be afraid,

until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.

9  He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor;

his righteousness endures forever;

his horn is exalted in honor.

10  The wicked man sees it and is angry;

he gnashes his teeth and melts away;

the desire of the wicked will perish!

It can be difficult with social media sharing all the news and all the crisis in the world to still hold a compassionate heart. To allow your heart to break for things of God.

A practice i have done to help me remain soft and not callous is “create in me a pure heart” Psalm 51. I want my heart to reflect his, how can i do it? Repeated prayer. You dont know where to start with prayer? Start with praying scripture. This is the perfect template for you to formulate your prayer life.

Trying to figure out how to read the Bible and have a devotional life?

-I Believe Class

-Rooted

Questions:

What temporary fixes do you struggle with? Gossip? Overspending? Lust? Greed? Pride?

What are practical ways you can rid yourself from these fixes? Is there someone that can hold you accountable or boundaries you can place to achieve this?

3. What does Psalm 112 teach us about generosity? How can you live a more generous life?

4. Do you feel like your “happy life” has been circumstantial or based on your commitment to Christ? How can you take delight in his commands?