Believers that serve the Lord know that God blesses them. They have “tasted that the Lord is gracious,” and are satisfied with His goodness to them.

This verse mentions that His goodness is great. It is also unending because He keeps on giving – even though we sometimes fail Him. It also implies that you never waste time trusting Him because His goodness is waiting to meet your needs.

Although He may come after you had just about given up hope, as He did in the case of Lazarus, we must remember that God is never late. His glory will be seen.

Now for the condition mentioned, the verse says that if you want to see that kind of goodness, you need to “fear” Him. It is not a fear that dreads God because you are afraid that He will hit you with a club if you step out of line. No, perfect love casts out that kind of fear.

The kind of fear He does want is respect. After all, He did not need to stoop to our level to become one of us and then to die a most shameful death. He wants us to remember that we are sinful, and except for His Son’s sacrifice, we could never come into His presence and wish for any blessing from Him.

When you remember Who He is and who you are in relation to Him it will help you respect Him. Also, when you understand that your relationship with Him is fragile and that He will not tolerate sin, you will not want to displease Him and lose your sweet fellowship with Him.

In this chapter, David talks about the blessing of the Word of God. The above verse mentions just one of the several points he brings out about the Bible.

He says first that we (believers) are warned by the Word of God. There are many warnings in the Word. We are to watch out for temptations of the world, the flesh, and the Devil.

These three things are all around us much of the time. If we are not careful, they will carry us away from God’s will and our joy in God. When they do, our hearts can grow cold toward spiritual things – and it may not be noticed for a long time.

As you stay in the Word on a daily basis, it will help you see the Devil’s devices. To get victory, however, you will need to be willing to fight against those temptations and draw near to Christ.

Then, David mentions another thing in this verse – the reward for faithfulness and obedience. We must also remember the eternal things of God. Anything the world gives you will pass away. It cannot last. Even while you have it – it cannot satisfy.

On the other hand, God’s rewards are eternal and you can be sure they are worth having. If you are faithful and honor God with your life, you cannot lose your rewards from Him. Remember that salvation is a gift – not a reward.

But if you are not faithful as a believer and you choose to live for this world, you will not have any rewards in Heaven – for eternity. Also, remember that there is nothing down here that you can take with you.

Which situation do you prefer? Losing all you lived for at the end of life because you chose to live for the wrong goals; or, having a joyful life in Christ and rich rewards waiting for you for all of eternity? Do you need to talk to God about it now and make some changes in your life? If so, why not do it now?

Although most people look at Memorial Day as another holiday, the day does have a dark side to it that everyone in America needs to remember. It is a day when we ought to take a few minutes to remember and realize that the freedom we enjoy today is neither cheap nor without a heavy toll. It cost many lives – and some of them may be your relatives and children. May it never be forgotten that the freedoms we enjoy today can still be lost.

Tens of thousands of our men and women have given their lives to fight against the enemies of freedom. Most likely they did not know that it would cost them so much when they joined the military, but nevertheless, they gave all when duty demanded it.

Thanks to them and their sacrifice Americans are still free. Many are still giving their lives every week because they joined the most powerful military in the world and duty has placed them in harm’s way. In our world of tyrants and evil men who aspire to enslave others to their ideologies or whims of conquering the world, such sacrifice will continue to be needed.

The same is also true in the Christian realm. Although we do not take up arms, yet there is a long list of those who have suffered much loss for the cause of Christ and the Gospel. Hebrews 11 contains a long list of names of believers who were faithful in living for God. They have showed us how to live and keep on going for Christ. May we remember daily in prayer those who are suffering now for the Name of Christ.

The believer’s salvation and freedom, of course, was purchased by Jesus Christ Who died for us. Though innocent, He took our place and died as a criminal – even though He was the sinless Son of God. He never complained of the price – even though He knew what it would cost the whole time He was on earth. Since then, He has been exalted to the right hand of the Father.

May we, as His followers, walk as He walked and live as He lived so that others may also learn of and come to enjoy the same freedom we enjoy. Others will walk in our steps one day, and may the next generation keep the faith even as they were shown how by our lives.

The saints mentioned in Hebrews 11 “all died in faith.” It is a glorious epitaph of their faithfulness. One day, our loved ones will have a memorial of us as we pass on to glory – but will we be remembered in a Christ-honoring way or as one that went AWOL from the calling of God?