Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Sermon on the Mount in Psalms
(Psalm 18:25-29)
Most Christians are familiar with the law of sowing and reaping. The concept is Biblical, with examples and stated precepts appearing in both testaments. The most succinct statement of this law is found in Galatians 6:7—“Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” In essence, we reap a harvest in like kind with the things we sow into our lives.
David elaborated upon this principle in today’s Scripture passage. He stated that the merciful will experience mercy—very similar to Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5:7). Those who treat others uprightly, David said, will receive upright treatment from God (25)—very similar to Jesus teaching concerning those who “hunger and thirst after righteousness” being “filled” (Mt. 5:6). Those, David contends, who are pure can expect the same from God (26), again a very close teaching to Jesus words, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Mt. 5:8).
David’s “Sermon on the Mount” departs from Jesus’ in his final declaration: “with the froward thou wilt show thyself froward” (26). The word froward means “devious.” If one is devious or treacherous in his ways, the Lord will recompense him with his crookedness—the chickens will come home to roost!
Think about it: Whether positive traits that yield blessing or negative traits that yield a curse, we all sow seeds into our lives. Hopefully folks sow seeds of blessing; but, for some, the seeds of destruction eventually sprout into ruin. Be careful what you sow!
