Those who fear him lack nothing Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. (Psalm 34:9) "His saints"; that term makes me feel so inadequate in holiness. But there you are; most of the letters written by Apostle Paul are addressed to the saints of places like Ephesus, Corinth, Phillippi etc. The paradox being, Paul brings to light all the sins these saints are doing. Adultery, Jealousy, Idolatry etc. It's like you name it and you'd find it in their list of sins being committed. Then why call them "saints"? Would almost seem like the apostle Paul is being sarcastic. But no; his vision of them is "sinners cleansed by the blood of the Lamb" and therefore "saints" The Bible calls everyone cleansed of sins as "saints." Here, in the above verse, the psalmist is exhorting us to "fear the Lord" because there is a definite blessing according to him for doing that. And the blessing is, "Those who fear him lack nothing." What a promise! Not only that, the Bible promises many great blessings for those who fear the Lord. To name a few; 1) The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. (Psalms 25:14) 2) How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. (Psalms 31:19) 3) But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. (Psalms 33:18,19) 4) But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow. (Psalms 60:4) 5) Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.(Psalms 85:9) Just a few verses, and that too only from the Psalms. Just imagine, if we club all the promises for fearing the Lord, it can be summarized in the verse at the top..i.e. they lack nothing. So let us make it a point in our lives to "fear the Lord" at all times and inherit this great blessing. God bless you. Compassion Ministries International |