MEDITATIONS FROM THE PSALMS

 

November 24, 2004

Reading: Psalm 97

 

“Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart” Ps 97:11

 

Lord, why do I sometimes feel that I am being robbed, robbed of the benefits I know are mine because of Jesus? My knowledge tells me I am blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus (Eph:1:3), yet my heart tells me it is not so. No, listen my heart to the Word of God, the Word of Him who does not nor cannot lie, “Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.” If you question everything else, never question the truthfulness and validity of God. Guard your soul jealously, never let the enemy of your soul sow the seed of unbelief in your heart. “Let God be true but every man a liar” Rom 3:4.

During the Welsh revival, an elderly lady was being ridiculed by a group of miners. “Do you really believe that Jonah was swallowed by a whale?” they teased. “Yes,” she replied, “and if the Bible said that Jonah swallowed the whale I would still believe it!” Lord, You are the God of the amazing, Your works are unbelievable to all but the righteous. My soul, if God said it you must believe it.

“Light is sown for the righteous.” Light embodies all that God has given you, every blessing, every benefit, your entire inheritance in Jesus. He can give you nothing more, you are complete in Him (Col 2:10). Take note that this marvelous Light is sown, not reaped. God’s Light, and all that it embodies, is sown, it has been distributed, and nothing is withheld. God is the Husbandman (John 15:1), and has sown the seed. And for whom is the seed sown? For those who have been made righteous in Christ Jesus. None other can reap the harvest prepared and sown by the Chief Husbandman. He has sown the seed, you must reap the harvest. It is not the fault of God that your warehouse is not filled with the fruit of the harvest.

Listen, my heart, the fault must lie with you if the harvest is still on the stalk. The Divine Farmer has sown the seed, and it is for you that he did. The harvest is there to be reaped, but too much you listen to the lies of the enemy. If you are not enjoying the gladness reserved for the “upright in heart,” you must acknowledge the words of your Savior that “An enemy has done this” Matt 13:28.

As a believer I am not void of responsibility—“Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” Gal 6:9. The abundant life in Christ is there for the taking. I, and all those made righteous by the blood of Christ, are called upon to not grow weary, but to truly believe every word and promise of God without doubt or question. Believe with all of your heart that you are among those who are recipients of the “the favor of Him who dwelt in the bush” Deut 33:16. Do not be like the Reubenites, who were satisfied to live on the wrong side of Canaan, never to enjoy the fruits of the land of promise.

Dear Lord, forgive me for listening to the lies of the enemy and for allowing them to influence my life. I want to listen to Your voice—teach me to listen only to You, and reap every benefit You have provided for me in Jesus Christ. 

 

“Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name” Ps 97:11-12.