To Love and Respect God
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Great are the works of the LORD; they are studied by all who delight in them” (Psalm 111:2, NASB). Delight means pleasure of the mind and senses.
Do we meditate until we feel pleasure in all that God does for us? Have we thought of all the wonders He gives us? Nature, our very breath, family, the ability to think? And do we think, as the psalmist does, about the characteristics of God and how He uses them on our behalf? He has caused His wonders to be remembered; The LORD is gracious and compassionate. He has given food to those who fear Him; He will remember His covenant forever (verses 4, 5, NASB). God is gracious. He evaluates and judges with benevolence.
He is compassionate and sad to see us suffer, and therefore, He seeks to alleviate our pain. He is sustaining. He strengthens us and remembers us and all that happens to us. How many things God does for us! The works of His hands are truth and justice; All His precepts are trustworthy. They are upheld forever and ever; They are performed in truth and uprightness (verses 7, 8, NASB). God’s works are faithful and just. His commandments are trustworthy; they are eternal, made in truth and righteousness. Our goal as Christians is to follow God and become more like Jesus. And as we draw closer to God, we will become more like Him.
As we do, we will naturally seek opportunities to share the gospel with others and will be more merciful, compassionate, and helpful.
We will remember others, and this will influence everything we do in truth and righteousness. The psalmist himself tells us how to achieve this: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who follow His commandments have a good understanding” (Psalm 111:10, NASB). We grow in wisdom as we show great love and respect for God and His holiness. If we want to know how to achieve all the above, we must love and respect God.
Only in this way will we be able to intentionally follow all that He advises and asks of us and thus be a good influence on others.
Cecilia Nanni
