Let such a person articulate the subsequent verses, not merely with spoken words but through the entirety of their life. The culmination of this construction will lead to the profound realm of wisdom, where the beginning is the reverence of the Lord; thus, let those strengthened by this message commence from that foundation.
Blessed is the man who reveres the Lord; he will find immense joy in His commandments, as expressed in Psalm 110:1. The Lord, who judges with perfect justice and mercy, will assess how faithfully one follows His commands, for life on earth is a testing ground, as Job 7:1 reminds us. The true Judge, however, is the Lord, as noted in 1 Corinthians 4:4. He will evaluate the benefits each individual gains from abiding by His commandments, and those who cherish the serenity of building together will take delight in them; they need not lose hope, for peace shall prevail on earth for those of good will, as noted in Luke 2:14.
Continuing on, "His seed shall be mighty upon the earth," as stated in Psalm 111:2. The Apostle affirms that the acts of mercy sow the seeds for future blessings, echoing his words: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest," found in Galatians 6:9. He reiterates that "The one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly," from 2 Corinthians 9:6. What could demonstrate greater strength than the fact that not only did Zacchaeus secure the kingdom of heaven with half of his wealth, as seen in Luke 19:8, but a widow achieved the same for only two small coins (Mark 12:42), suggesting equal inheritance for all? What can be more powerful than the reality that this kingdom is equally precious to both the affluent and to the needy, exemplified by a mere cup of cold water?
"Glory and wealth shall be in his dwelling," declares Psalm 110:3. His home is his heart, where he abides in richer treasures found in the praise of God and the hope of everlasting life, in contrast to those who reside amidst marble palaces adorned with lavish decor, where the specter of eternal death lingers. His righteousness is everlasting; observe His glory, for therein lies true wealth. Meanwhile, the luxurious banquets of others, even if they are sumptuous, will eventually fade; their fleeting pleasures lead only to the tormenting thirst for the tiniest relief, as illustrated in Luke 16:24.
For the righteous, a light shines in darkness, as promised in Psalm 110:4. The godly justly direct their hearts toward God, seeking to align their wills with His, devoid of arrogance or self-sufficiency. They remember their past in darkness but now walk in the light of the Lord, as stated in Ephesians 5:8. The Lord God embodies mercy, compassion, and justice. While His mercy brings joy, His justice can be daunting. Yet, do not fear or dismay, blessed man who reveres the Lord and delights in His commandments; act with kindness, mercy, and generosity. The Lord judges without mercy those who show none, as stated in James 2:13. Conversely, "Blessed is the man who is gracious and lends," from Psalm 111:5, for he will not be dismissed by God as lacking sweetness. "Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you," as asserted in Luke 6:37-38. In forgiving, you receive forgiveness; in giving, you lend. Although all acts of kindness in assisting others are deemed charitable, there is a distinct value in forgiving those who have wronged you, fostering mutual forgiveness of sins.
Those unwilling to assist the needy pursue wealth; heed the word that promises treasure in heaven as found in Matthew 19:21. Your integrity is not compromised by forgiving, for triumph over anger is commendable. You will not become poorer by giving; rather, heavenly riches represent a more secure treasure. The previous verse's assertion of wealth and abundance in his house resonates powerfully here.
Thus, one who engages in these deeds must carefully choose his words. His actions will sound as his defense during the Judgement, which will surely favor him, for he has extended favor to others. He will not be shaken, as affirmed in Psalm 111:6; those called to the right hand will hear, "Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Only acts of mercy will be referenced in that moment. So shall he hear, "Come, you blessed of my Father," as the upright generation will be praised. The righteous will be remembered forever. No ill news shall instill fear in him; his heart remains steadfast and trusts in the Lord, as noted in Psalm 111:7. He will not fear the words addressed to those on the left: "Depart into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels," from Matthew 25:34, 41. Therefore, one who seeks not his own interests but those of Jesus Christ, as stated in Philippians 2:21, perseveres through suffering with patience, holding onto faith in the promised blessings. He remains unbroken by temptation; his heart is unwavering until he sees the final outcomes for his adversaries, as noted in Psalms 111:8. His enemies seek to witness earthly goodness, while we long to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
It is a profound achievement to maintain a steadfast heart, unshaken amidst the joy of those who delight in what is visible, while scoffing at those who hope for the unseen, which the Lord has prepared for those who love Him, as stated in 1 Corinthians 2:9. The value of the unseen is immense, accessible at the highest cost any individual might bear. For this reason, he modestly shares with the needy, as noted in Psalms 110:9; he has not seen yet has attained treasure in heaven, having satisfied the hunger and thirst of the poor on earth. His righteousness endures eternally, safeguarded by the One who created time. His humility, once scorned by the proud, will be exalted with glory.
The wicked shall observe and be filled with rage, as expressed in Psalm 111:10; this is the remorse that comes too late and yields no fruit. Against whom does he express his anger but himself, lamenting, "Our pride! What benefit has it brought us? Our egotism has been of no value," as depicted in Wisdom 5:8. Their exalting reputation may contrast with the humble who gave to the needy. They will grind their teeth in despair, filled with anguish, for there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. They will no longer flourish or bear fruit as they might have, had they repented timely; instead, they shall repent only when wicked desires fade, and comfort will be absent. The longings of the wicked perish, akin to shadows fleeting away, as highlighted in Wisdom 5:8-9, like flowers fading upon the withering grass. But the word of the Lord remains forever, as affirmed in Isaiah 40:8; what was derided by the vanity of the falsely content will become evident in the demise of those who genuinely suffer.
THEOSIS