“Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.” –Psalm 31:23-24 (ESV)We assume that the saintly persons who know the Lord would love him unconditionally. But here in this Psalm attributed to David, even the saintly servants of God are reminded to love the Lord. The faithful are kept by the Lord. But any who hold onto pride are dealt with severely. Therefore, even the saintly are urged to be strong and take courage and wait on the Lord.
David wrote this Psalm when he dealt with enemies on every side. He has victory over enemies and ends the Psalm on a triumphant note.
As God rewarded David, likewise does He reward us for loving Him and offering faithful service. Read the whole psalm and note some of David’s (and our) reasons for loving the Lord;
You are my strong rock. (verse 3)
I commit my spirit to Your hands. (verse 5)
You deliver me from enemies. (verse 8)
When I failed, was reviled and reproached, You restored me. (verses 9-14)
My times are in Your hands. (15b-19)
Despite grave trials, Your goodness is ever with me. (verses 15b-19)
We consider saints very devout and holy persons. In the Catholic Church, saints earn the title through deeds of mercy and service and are set apart, or sainted. However, anyone who believes that Jesus Christ is Lord and follows and serves Him is a saint. And a saint loves the Lord God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength. Where are we in our journey to sainthood and to loving the Lord?
c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Friday, February 5, 2010
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