Glory Land

Psalm 85:9

Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land.

Sorry if this seems redundant or is boring but I couldn’t resist this verse after yesterday’s Word of the Day. What struck me about this is that when we live in His saving grace, as we discussed yesterday, then God’s glory shines in our land.

If we take a more precise, modern-day language reading of the word “fear” we would render that phrase “revere Him.” We just don’t use the word fear in that context anymore. Therefore, the relationship is that God’s glory can dwell in the land when there are people who revere Him. His salvation is near, as we saw yesterday, to help in every situation while His glory leads us and shines upon us.

If you think there is nothing you can do about the current situation with coronavirus, think about this verse for a while. All of us can grow in our spiritual life. We can develop and grow during this crisis time and when we do, God’s glory will come to settle upon our land. Wherever you live, this is your personal moment when you can stand for your country. You can do more for your country than even its political leaders because your faith brings the help we all need. Diving into a deeper relationship with God, a reverential awe of who He is, brings salvation near.

I have been hearing about how some people are getting really bored being at home while others are experiencing increased anxiety from cabin fever. There is something we can offer to eliminate both of those problems. Pursue God with vigor. Study, pray, meditate and just chat with Him. Seeking God can easily fill a day and invigorate life. The end result is that as we do this as a body, God’s glory inhabits or land. That’s cool and I think it would be great for people who don’t know God to get to see His glory.

Jesus is close at hand to save those who love him, and he longs to make us, and our land, his dwelling place.

Building Foundations

Psalm 112: 1 & 7

Praise the Lord! How blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments. He will not fear evil tidings. His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

The word “fear” in the above passage means to revere and worship. Therefore, blessed is the person who reveres and worships the Lord, who treasures the Word of God. That person need not live in fear of anything. The Word of God is alive in his (her) heart. When you have developed an intimacy with the Word of God, your trust grows to the point that fear becomes an insult. Fear just begins to recede as the Word of God grows in your heart. You really do not have to do much; it just begins to happen increasingly. You find you believe more in the Word of God than you do the evil forebodings that want to take root in your mind and heart. Then your faith increases because your heart is rooted in the Word. Knowing God’s will makes you steady as well as making your heart steadfast. You become a firm fixture who is not easily blown from place to place. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and you will not be easily shaken. The Word is the foundation upon which that trust is built.