Good morning,
Today my meditation is 1 Peter 3:12-14; "The Lord watches over those who do what is right, and he listens to their prayers. But he is against those who do evil. If you are always trying to do good, no one can really harm you. But you may suffer for doing right. If that happens, you have God's blessing. Don't be afraid of the people who make you suffer; don't be worried. But keep the Lord Christ holy in your hearts. Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain about the hope you have." Are we always trying to do good? That is what we must keep doing, no matter what life hands us. It may appear that you are not coming out on top as you are the, "do- gooder", but God has our back. He promises that in Isaiah 58:8 "Then shall your light break forth like the morning, and your healing (your restoration and the power of a new life) shall spring forth speedily; your righteousness (your rightness, your justice, and your right relationship with God) shall go before you [conducting you to peace and prosperity], and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard." Notice that it is our right relationship with God that will conduct us to peace and prosperity. In the midst of doing right, God promises that we will have peace and prosperity.
The glory of the Lord is the rear guard for the ones who do the Word of God, that is what "doing good" is. Rear guard or rereward means to cover our back, to bring in the rear, to gather and take in. Glory carries the idea of honor, dignity, abundance, riches, reputation, splendor, and reverence. For doing right, I will be covered, God has my back from anyone or any circumstance I may go through, but He will conduct me to peace and prosperity. Just think on it, God's honor, dignity, riches, and His reputation will follow me. That's a great covering. We are bound to be victorious as long as we do right, we are being watched over. So, "does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help." (Psa. 34:12-15)
The glory of the Lord is the rear guard for the ones who do the Word of God, that is what "doing good" is. Rear guard or rereward means to cover our back, to bring in the rear, to gather and take in. Glory carries the idea of honor, dignity, abundance, riches, reputation, splendor, and reverence. For doing right, I will be covered, God has my back from anyone or any circumstance I may go through, but He will conduct me to peace and prosperity. Just think on it, God's honor, dignity, riches, and His reputation will follow me. That's a great covering. We are bound to be victorious as long as we do right, we are being watched over. So, "does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help." (Psa. 34:12-15)
Remember that's good news, after all that is the Gospel. You no longer have to scheme and connive or manipulate to get your way, or to do good to yourself. It is hard work trying to get your plans to work out, plus God is against those who do evil, and He can't be manipulated. While you are just doing the Word, not looking to take care of you, God is watching over you to prosper you!
Love,
Pastor D.
Daughters of Z 