Sunday, February 08, 2026

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

Scriptures: Psalm 112:1-10, Matthew 5:13-20

Sermon Title: “The blessings of the righteous”

1. Context

Have you ever read Psalm 111 and Psalm 112 together? If yes, you will notice that they fit together like two pieces of the same puzzle. They share the same structure, length, and even similar wording, with each line following the Hebrew alphabet.  Psalm 111 celebrates the greatness of God and His mighty works, while Psalm 112, a wisdom psalm, focuses on righteous living and the contrast between those who fear the Lord and those who do not. Our sermon title, “The Blessings of the Righteous,” comes from Psalm 112:1-10.

2. The foundation of blessing

The psalm opens with a promise of blessing for those who fear the Lord and delight in His commands. It’s actually setting the tone for all that follows. We often use the word blessed and think of it in terms of our circumstances, especially when we compare our lives to those facing great hardship. But in Scripture, blessed means “happy and highly favored,” and it reminds us that blessings are the result of our actions.

If we want to be blessed, Scripture tells us we must fear the Lord. While we usually think negatively of fear, being afraid of danger or harm. What is the fear of the Lord? What is the meaning of the fear of the Lord? The Bible also defines fear as a deep reverence and awe for God. This kind of fear is not terror, but honor, respect, and devotion toward Him.

3. The blessings of the Righteous

Scripture shows the fruits that come from living in reverent awe of Him:

• Generational impact: Living in reverent fear of the Lord brings God’s blessing on our families and leaves a spiritual legacy for future generations. A righteous life benefits not just us but also those who come after us.
• Wealth and provision: God blesses the lives of those who honor Him, including their finances. While we can seek material blessings, true and lasting wealth is found in righteousness.
• Light in darkness: Life can be hard, but those who walk with God have His presence to guide and comfort them. Christians are also called to be a light for others, bringing hope and guidance even in difficult times.
• The righteous are remembered: The lives and actions of the righteous leave a lasting impact. We remember their faithfulness, support, and commitment to Christ, even long after they are gone.
• We will not fear bad news: Life brings challenges and bad news, but trusting God gives us peace and strength. He provides comfort through His presence and through people He places in our lives, helping us face uncertainty with courage.

4. The grief of the wicked.

God concludes by contrasting the righteous with the wicked: when God blesses the righteous, the wicked respond with anger and frustration, directing their hostility toward the blessed because they cannot attack God. This pattern has existed since the beginning and will continue until the end of the world.

When God blesses us, it reveals the hearts of our enemies. Remember the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4:1-16, where Cain’s anger over God accepting Abel’s offering led him to attack and kill his brother instead of correcting his own actions.

Abel’s blessing exposed the contrast between the brothers: unable to attack God, Cain directed his anger toward innocent Abel, illustrating the destructive grief of the wicked and the path the Lord warns us to avoid.

5. How do we develop the fear of the Lord?

Developing the fear of the Lord requires effort, and several steps can help us grow in reverence for God.

• Delight in His commands: Obeying God’s commands and seeing them as guidance for a prosperous life helps us value His wisdom and grow in faithfulness.
• Spend time in the Word: Meditating on Scripture reveals God’s character and works, deepening our reverence for Him.
• Prayer: Through prayer, we align with God’s will and cultivate the respect and honor He deserves.
• Repentance and confession: True reverence requires honesty about our sins. Confession, repentance, and a willingness to change align us with God’s will and allow His blessings to flow.
• The list is long, but we can also include what the Lord requires of us, as we shared last Sunday, to act justly, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.

6. Conclusion

As we conclude, God sets before us two paths, the righteous and the wicked, and calls us to choose righteousness by fearing Him. Those who fear the Lord are blessed now and for eternity. Amen.