Daily Bible Challenge: Day 590 Psalms Chapter 112

And I Still Love You All!

This chapter mentions different qualities that are attractive to God that he wants to see in our lives. These qualities remind me of the two greatest commandments mentioned in Matthew 22:37-39, when Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God and the second greatest commandment is to love others.

1. The first quality mentioned in this chapter is to fear God. To truly fear God is to recognize him as number one overall. It's recognizing that nothing else even compares to him. The one to whom you have a respectful fear for is the one to whom you want to give your total allegiance and love to. Who better qualifies than to God himself. So to fear God reminds me of the greatest commandment which is to love God with everything.

2. The next batch of qualities are to become gracious, compassionate, and upright. It says to do these three things is to be a light in a dark world. To exhibit these qualities is to capture the hearts of people. People will be drawn to you. People will want to be around you. You put joy and hope into the lives of others. If we could just capture this truth and let the Holy Spirit display these qualities through US, think of all the lives we could impact daily.

3. The next qualities mentioned are being generous, lending freely, showing Justice and giving to the poor. These qualities seem a little harder and seem to require a greater sacrifice on my part. It's almost as if I want to pass over these ones. It seems easier to rationalize that these qualities aren't that necessary because I don't want to have to be a generous person lending out to others. It requires more trust in God. It's easy to give when I have plenty but not always easy to give out of what I think I really need. I don't want to be one that holds onto possessions when God is trying to use me to give it in order to bless others.

God help me to be a giving person not with my excess but with that which I think I need. Help me be sacrificial in my giving and help me trust you that you'll take care of me. I truly truly truly want to be a tool you use to impact lives for Jesus.