The heavens are the Lord’s heavens,
but the earth he has given to human beings.
The dead do not praise the Lord,
nor do any that go down into silence.
But we will bless the Lord
from this time on and forevermore.
Praise the Lord!
Psalm 115:16-18
Observation: This passage is a promise of blessing. In verses 12-13, the psalmist declares that blessing is promised to everyone who fears the Lord, both great and small. In 14-15, he states the blessing will belong to us and our families, and they will be both earthly and heavenly blessings. However, here in verse 16-18, there is a clarification of that earthly versus heavenly delineation.
The Lord commands all things. However, he has given the earth to humans ... a fact we already knew from Genesis. In this manner, on earth humans have free will to do as they please, which includes deciding to disobey the Lord and to even completely turn away from him. These people are dead. They do not praise the Lord, and thus when they die they do not ascend into a heavenly home with the Lord, but rather they "go down into silence". While these people may find earthly blessings - good lives as defined by human terms - hear on the human-managed earth, they will not receive the promised blessings of the Lord.
Those who bless the Lord on earth will not go down into silence; we are promised blessing, and that blessing is given to us here are earth ("from this time") and into an eternal life in heaven ("on and forevermore").
Hallelujah!
Application: I declare, praise the Lord!
Yes, I desire the Lord's promised favor and blessing, here and for eternity. I also know that, due to God's granting of the earth to humans, not everything in life on earth will ever be perfect. Humans are allowed, by God's love for them, to do as they please, and I know well that sometimes others will be pleased to harm me and my family. However, that does not change God's love and blessing. In fact, it makes the future blessing of heaven all the greater, as I cannot now even comprehend how wonderful God's perfect blessing must be!
I declare, praise the Lord!
Prayer: Lord, while I know the issues of this world, I lean into your promised salvation and blessing. I thank you that Jesus provides the ability for me to make clear my faith in you and cover my failings, so that I may find you in every aspect of life. I look forward to heaven, while serving you hear on earth this day. Please give me my daily bread, forgive my sins, and allow me again to praise you with all my heart. Amen.
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