Stirring up the Godly

30 January

But let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because Thou defendest them: let them also that love Thy name be joyful in Thee. Psalm 5:11

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Philippians 4

To urge God to grant him deliverance, David now argues that the effect of this action will stir up the godly to exercise greater trust in God and encourage them to give praise and thanks to Him. This passage teaches us that we are ungrateful to God if we do not take encouragement and comfort from whatever blessings He confers upon our neighbors, since by those actions He proves that He is always ready to bestow His goodness upon all the godly. Accordingly, we may rejoice because, as David says, Thou defendest them. Whenever God bestows blessings upon some of the faithful, the rest may be assured that He also will show Himself beneficent toward them.

This passage enforces the teaching that true joy proceeds from no other source but God and His protection. We may be exposed to a thousand deaths, but we may be consoled  in the valleys of death, knowing that we are covered an defended by the hand of God. The vain shadows of this world cannot beguile us when we take shelter under the wings of God.

We ought also particularly to notice the statement that those who trust in the Lord love His name. Memories of God must be sweet to us. They must fill our hearts with joy and ravish us with love as we taste of His goodness. By contrast, unbelievers wish the name of God to be buried and shun memories of Him with horror.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION: What an awesome perspective this passage gives us! Do we often begrudge the blessings others receive and accuse God of unfairness in not dispensing the same blessings to us? Here we see the great joy we should have for others and the great comfort we derive from the blessings they receive.

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke