Did you ever get a gift
that ended up not being good for you? Maybe chocolates or a video game you end
up wasting way too much time on. The
giver meant well, and you did have fun for a while, but it netted out negative.
God’s gifts are never like
that. They always produce net good for us and others. They may—in fact,
probably will—be more demanding than the type of gifts just discussed, but they
are guaranteed to truly bless.
Here are some verses
discussing that. As you unwrap them, remember that the blue scriptural citations
are hyperlinks that will get you to other translations.
As for God, his way is perfect: The
Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.
How blessed is anyone who
rejects the advice of the wicked and does not take a stand in the path that
sinners tread, nor a seat in company with cynics, 2 but who delights in the law of Yahweh and murmurs his law day
and night. 3 Such a one is like a tree
planted near streams; it bears fruit in season and its leaves never wither, and
every project succeeds.
How blessed are all who
take refuge in him!
Yahweh is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 In grassy meadows he lets me lie. By
tranquil streams he leads me 3 to restore my spirit. He guides me in
paths of saving justice as befits his name.
4 Even were I to walk in a ravine as dark
as death I should fear no danger, for you are at my side. Your staff and your
crook are there to soothe me.
5 You prepare a table for me under the
eyes of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup brims over.
6 Kindness and faithful love pursue me
every day of my life. I make my home in the house of Yahweh for all time to
come.
No one is disgraced who waits for you
Those who look to him are radiant, and
their faces shall never be ashamed.
Taste and see that Yahweh
is good. How blessed are those who take refuge in him.
Put your trust in Yahweh and do right,
make your home in the land and live secure.4 Make Yahweh
your joy and he will give you your heart's desires.
5 Commit your destiny to Yahweh, be
confident in him, and he will act, 6 making your
uprightness clear as daylight, and the justice of your cause as the noon.
The lives of the just are in Yahweh's
care, their birthright will endure for ever;19 they will not
be put to shame when bad times come, in time of famine they will have plenty.
Turn your back on evil and do good, you
will have a home for ever, 28 for Yahweh loves justice and will not
forsake his faithful. Evil-doers will perish eternally, the descendants of the
wicked be annihilated, 29 but the upright shall have the land for
their own, there they shall live for ever.
Put your hope in Yahweh, keep to his
path, he will raise you up to make the land your own; you will look on while
the wicked are annihilated.
The upright have Yahweh for their
Saviour, their refuge in times of trouble; 40 Yahweh helps
them and rescues them, he will rescue them from the wicked, and save them
because they take refuge in him.
How blessed are those who
put their trust in Yahweh
A thousand may fall at your side, ten
thousand at your right hand, but it will not come
near you.
8 You will only look with your eyes and
see the recompense of the wicked.
I shall not be ashamed if
my gaze is fixed on your commandments
Discretion will watch over you,
understanding will guard you; 12 Saving you from the
way of the wicked, from those whose speech is perverse.13 From
those who have left the straight paths to walk in the ways of darkness, 14 Who
delight in doing evil and celebrate perversity; 15 Whose
ways are crooked, whose paths are devious;
My son, do not let these slip from your
sight: hold to deliberation and planning; 22 So will they be
life to your soul, and an adornment for your neck. 23 Then
you may go your way securely; your foot will never stumble; 24 When
you lie down, you will not be afraid, when you rest, your sleep will be sweet. 25 Do
not be afraid of sudden terror, of the ruin of the wicked when it comes; 26 For
the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from the snare.
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will
protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.
The wisdom of the shrewd enlightens
their way
The fear of the Lord is a strong
defense, a refuge even for one’s children. 27 The fear of the
Lord is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death.
Whoever listens closely to
the word finds happiness; whoever trusts Yahweh is blessed.
He who keeps the commandment keeps his
life
The fear of the Lord leads to life, and
whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.
Every word of God proves true; he is a
shield to those who take refuge in him.
Trust him and he will uphold you, follow
a straight path and hope in him.
7 You who fear the Lord, wait for his
mercy; do not turn aside, for fear you fall.
8 You who fear the Lord, trust him, and
you will not be robbed of your reward.
9 You who fear the Lord, hope for those
good gifts of his, everlasting joy and mercy.
10 Look at the generations of old and see:
whoever trusted in the Lord and was put to shame? Or whoever, steadfastly
fearing him, was forsaken? Or whoever called to him and was ignored?
11 For the Lord is compassionate and merciful,
he forgives sins and saves in the time of distress.
Those who obey her will give sound
judgments; those who pay attention to her have true security.
The wisdom of the poor lifts their head
high and sets them among princes.
Rely on her for support, and you will
never know the disgrace of failure.
Whoever obeys me will not be put to
shame, and those who serve me will never go astray.
Therefore, thus says the Lord God: See,
I am laying a stone in Zion, a stone that has been tested, a precious
cornerstone as a sure foundation; whoever puts faith in it will not waver.
Lord Yahweh comes to my help, this is
why insult has not touched me, this is why I have set my face like flint and
know that I shall not be put to shame.8 He who grants me
saving justice is near! Who will bring a case against me? Let us appear in
court together! Who has a case against me? Let him approach me!9
Look, Lord Yahweh is coming to my help! Who dares condemn me? Look at them, all
falling apart like moth-eaten clothes!
Blessed is anyone who
trusts in Yahweh, with Yahweh to rely on. 8 Such a person is like a tree by the waterside that thrusts its
roots to the stream: when the heat comes it has nothing to fear, its foliage
stays green; untroubled in a year of drought, it never stops bearing fruit.
“You have said harsh things about me,”
says Yahweh. And yet you say, 'What have we said against you?'14
You have said, 'It is useless to serve God; what is the good of keeping
his commands or of walking mournfully before Yahweh Sabaoth? 15
In fact, we now call the proud the happy ones; the evil-doers are the ones who
prosper; they put God to the test, yet come to no harm!'
16 Then those who feared Yahweh talked to
one another about this, and Yahweh took note and listened; and a book of
remembrance was written in his presence recording those who feared him and kept
his name in mind.17 “On the day when I act, says Yahweh
Sabaoth, they will be my most prized possession, and I shall spare them in the
way a man spares the son who serves him.18 Then once again you will see the
difference between the upright person and the wicked one, between the one who serves
God and the one who does not serve him.”
19 “For look, the Day is coming, glowing
like a furnace. All the proud and all the evil-doers will be the stubble, and
the Day, when it comes, will set them ablaze, says Yahweh Sabaoth, leaving them
neither root nor branch. 20 But for you who fear my name, the Sun
of justice will rise with healing in his rays, and you will come out leaping
like calves from the stall, 21 and trample on the wicked, who will be
like ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act, says Yahweh
Sabaoth.”
Whoever does the will of my heavenly
Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Whoever does the will of God is my
brother and sister and mother.
Blessed [] are those who hear the word
of God and keep it!
Do this and you will live.
“I am the light of the world,” he said.
“Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in
darkness.”
I am the vine, and you are the branches.
Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit
God's peace, which is far beyond human
understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.
All scripture is inspired by God and is
useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in
righteousness
Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a
cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be
put to shame
For the Lord watches over the righteous
and listens to their prayers; but he opposes those who do evil. 13 Who
will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14 But
even if you should suffer for doing what is right, how happy you are! Do not be
afraid of anyone, and do not worry. 15 But have reverence for
Christ in your hearts, and honor him as Lord. Be ready at all times to answer
anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you
But whoever keeps his word, the love of
God is truly perfected in him. This is the way we may know that we are in union
with him
