Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear. (Ps. 112:8)
ONE OF THE MEMBERS in my church, a man in his late eighties, died in his sleep a few days ago. He was an expert carpenter. I just spent the afternoon with his family, helping them plan the memorial service. His children walked me around their house, pointing out their dad’s handiwork in the form of cabinets, dressers, window blinds, and work desks. But what struck me the most was not their father’s elaborate skill in woodworking. More importantly, I was amazed at his skill in building a family. Those who knew him bragged about what a great marriage he had with his wife of sixty-nine years. His four children, twenty-three grandchildren, and forty-one great-grandchildren would gather around his casket soon to honor his life. The artifacts of cedar and oak that he made for them served as reminders of the solid life he lived.
A man doesn’t live for almost ninety years without encountering some life-shaking challenges. But Psalm 112 gives us insight into how to survive those challenges. We can keep our soul anchored by trusting the Lord in every new circumstance. A stable faith is the foundation for a stable marriage. A stable marriage is the foundation for a stable family. And a stable family is the foundation for a flourishing godly legacy. Is your soul anchored by your trust in God?
Ask God to help you replace fear with faith.
Jarod Osborne is lead pastor of Pathway Church, Warsaw, Indiana. He is the author of Jaded Faith (WPH).
© 2019 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
