The Office
13 He will spend his days in prosperity,
and his descendants will inherit the land.
Michael Scott is a nut case. No matter how normal he may appear in his shirt and tie, you just never quite know what's going to come out of his mouth. I think the writers of the hit TV show "The Office" sat down in a big conference room one day and listed all the idiotic characteristic, traits and habits of all the worst bosses they ever had, and then created Michael Scott. He is strange. He's weird. But most of all, he is erratic. His employees never know what to expect from him. And because they never quite know what to expect, there is always a certain amount of tension. Know any bosses like that? I bet you do! Bosses that are hard to please. Bosses that change their mind every two seconds. Bosses who will tell you one thing one day, and then tell you the exact opposite the next. It's no fun for the employee, who gets exasperated trying to figure it all out!
The Psalmist has just finished telling us about the fear of the Lord - that reverential awe and respect for God. (see verse 12) In verse 13 David tells us the benefits of living in the fear of God. I don't want you to get the wrong impression, here . . . David is not suggesting a feel-good-you-will-be-successful-and-rich-and-powerful kind of religion. Rather, David is saying that the one who fears God will be at ease. Sort of like working for a really good boss. A boss who always makes his expectations crystal clear. A boss who treats you fairly, respectfully and generously. A boss who is immaculately consistent in his approach to leadership. A boss you can trust.
Working for a boss like that puts you at ease. You understand the expectations. You are comfortable because your parameters are clear. You are happy because you are treated fairly and consistently.
The thing about bosses like that is that you don't want to cross them. If you know the rules, if you understand the parameters, if you know the expectations, and you decide to wrestle against them, there are going to be consequences.
This is a powerful, if flawed, illustration of God and man in verse 13. If we fear the Lord as we ought to do, we live at ease because we know what He expects, and we know we will be blessed as we abide in His Word and His will. It's always easier when you know the expectations - and with God, the expectations are always clear.
Of course, even the best of human bosses will fail from time to time. They make wrong decisions, they don't always have the answers, and sometimes there are even ulterior motives at work. Aren't you glad that none of those issues will ever come between you and God? God never makes a wrong decision, has all the answers, and always has your best interest in mind. Take a moment to stop and thank God for being such a great BOSS!
and his descendants will inherit the land.
Michael Scott is a nut case. No matter how normal he may appear in his shirt and tie, you just never quite know what's going to come out of his mouth. I think the writers of the hit TV show "The Office" sat down in a big conference room one day and listed all the idiotic characteristic, traits and habits of all the worst bosses they ever had, and then created Michael Scott. He is strange. He's weird. But most of all, he is erratic. His employees never know what to expect from him. And because they never quite know what to expect, there is always a certain amount of tension. Know any bosses like that? I bet you do! Bosses that are hard to please. Bosses that change their mind every two seconds. Bosses who will tell you one thing one day, and then tell you the exact opposite the next. It's no fun for the employee, who gets exasperated trying to figure it all out!
The Psalmist has just finished telling us about the fear of the Lord - that reverential awe and respect for God. (see verse 12) In verse 13 David tells us the benefits of living in the fear of God. I don't want you to get the wrong impression, here . . . David is not suggesting a feel-good-you-will-be-successful-and-rich-and-powerful kind of religion. Rather, David is saying that the one who fears God will be at ease. Sort of like working for a really good boss. A boss who always makes his expectations crystal clear. A boss who treats you fairly, respectfully and generously. A boss who is immaculately consistent in his approach to leadership. A boss you can trust.
Working for a boss like that puts you at ease. You understand the expectations. You are comfortable because your parameters are clear. You are happy because you are treated fairly and consistently.
The thing about bosses like that is that you don't want to cross them. If you know the rules, if you understand the parameters, if you know the expectations, and you decide to wrestle against them, there are going to be consequences.
This is a powerful, if flawed, illustration of God and man in verse 13. If we fear the Lord as we ought to do, we live at ease because we know what He expects, and we know we will be blessed as we abide in His Word and His will. It's always easier when you know the expectations - and with God, the expectations are always clear.
Of course, even the best of human bosses will fail from time to time. They make wrong decisions, they don't always have the answers, and sometimes there are even ulterior motives at work. Aren't you glad that none of those issues will ever come between you and God? God never makes a wrong decision, has all the answers, and always has your best interest in mind. Take a moment to stop and thank God for being such a great BOSS!
