A Prepared Heart
Scripture Reading: Psalm 112:7
A decade ago, when I was making significant decisions about life and ministry direction, Psalm 112:7 became one of my most leaned-on texts of Scripture. The steps I was taking had the potential to end badly. I knew that not every bit of news or advice I would hear about my choice to focus on pastoral training overseas would be positive. Some of it might even be discouraging. I needed to be ready for that.
Psalm 112:7 pointed me toward the answer to that problem. My heart needed to be prepared because bad news creates fear and fear can stop a person in their tracks. What this text taught me is the best defense against the fear that bad news brings is faith. “He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”
The translation “firm” is a good one. But the original language also carries the idea of being “prepared.” Both ideas (firm and prepared) are present and complement each other. The heart is described as steadfast and unafraid because it is prepared, and it is prepared because it has made the decision beforehand to trust in the Lord.
We must not wait until there is “bad news on the doorstep,” to use Don McClean’s words. There must be a predetermination to trust the Lord. Then, when bad news comes, we can still “take one more step.”