Anticipating Bad News

 

“Blessed are those who fear the Lord”

—Psalm 112:1b

I am an anticipator of bad news. I have stopped watching medical dramas because I find they feed my hypochondriacal tendencies. Every ache, every pain—and there are many in my rapidly advancing old age—spells my doom, at least in my mind.

Therefore, I am especially grateful for these words from Psalm 112:1-10:

Praise the Lord.

Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands. Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.

Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever. Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.

Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever.

They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.

They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever; their horn will be lifted high in honor.

The wicked will see and be vexed, they will gnash their teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

I find this Psalm reason enough to love and respect the God who first loved me. How about you?

 

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