There are those today who want to be or are “Influencers.” It can be very lucrative for some. They promote themselves through various social media to influence others in various ways but it is always towards an end usually their profit, their promotion, to be somebody that is looked up to and followed. But the Psalmist too wanted to be an “influencer” as it were, before the word was popular or used in today’s society. But his goal of being an “influencer” was not for selfish gain but for Others’ benefit! Listen to his prayer, “May those who fear You, when they see me be glad because I wait {hope} for Your Word.”-{Psalm 119;74}
His concern with being seen by others? That it may cause them to be glad, not just that they see him and his presence is the end, but because of where his hope is. His hope is that confident expectation is anchored in God’s Word and in turn that they would have gladness of heart as a result. Who are they whose hearts would be gladdened as a result of his hope in the LORD’s Word? Those who “fear Him!” Those who acknowledge and have a deep reverential respect and affection for God. The Psalmist wanted to be an “influencer” so that others would have their hearts gladdened as they observe his heart anchored in the Word of God. This “influencer” wanted to be a blessing and benefit to those who feared God to have their hearts gladdened!
We see one way the Psalmist did this for those who “feared God” was in Psalm 66:16, “Come and hear, all who fear God, And I will tell of what He has done for my soul.”- He testified to God and what God had done for him personally!
Paul too exercised this desire to see others benefit and in particular, their joy in their faith when he said, “…I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith.”-{Philippians 1:25}. He had been contemplating death and his desire to be with Christ was far better but he was caught in two minds, to depart and be with Christ or remain on earth and what swayed him was the benefit of the believers and his opportunity to influence by investing his life in theirs so their JOY IN THE FAITH may grow! Like the Psalmist, Paul was others orientated!
Influencers need others to help them in their pursuit of fame, fortune, prominence, and prestige, to be recognized, valued, and promoted, so they work hard at it, and often their end? Self. While here we have the PSALMIST WHO TOO WANTED TO BE AN INFLUENCER AND HE GOES TO God with his request and his motive is not self-promotion but the promotion of the welfare of others, namely their gladness of heart. And his means to do so is to humble appeal to God to enable him to be so.
One influencer lives to promote self, the Psalmist lived for the benefit to bless others- their well-being… and in humility, he knows this is only possible as God gives him favor.
So, we see the Psalmist’s Influence is characterized by
- Humility
- Hope in The Word of God
- Others’ Joy. He was others orientated for their benefit and edification- he wanted to be a blessing to them!
We all are “influencers” in one way or another be it in our families, work, school, or wherever we are… may God grant us the wisdom, insight, and hearts to be those who appeal to Him to keep us clear-headed so as to see as we hope in His Word that we may encourage others to the end their hearts are gladdened when they see us because of the work of God in our lives and our confident expectation in His Word tha we may convey so as to gladden the hearts of those who fear, have a revential respect for HIM!
May your “Influence” today be guided by a Christlike mindset that seeks to place others first and their benefit your thinking and doing.-{Read Phil 2:3-5}. With God’s Word as your ever increasing confidence, trust, Hope, and God’s enabling you can be that one who causes joy and delight, and encouragement when other followers of Christ see you coming because they too recognize your hope and are gladdened by God’s work in you and through you. You can be God’s influencer!
The reality is we are ALL “Influencer’s” wherever we are at. Some for Good, others not so. The servant of Christ empowered by the Spirit of Christ living according to the Word of God has their mind and heart continually tuned to follow Christ and His way has always been…Others!
Prayer and The Word of God should not end with just you... or me… but the working of God in a life is manifested in praying to God to be a blessing to others and His Word the more it is in us and controls and molds us as we submit to it will be expressed in seeking what we can do to benefit them for their joy n the faith!
The Psalmist LOOKS Up To God and LOOKS Out for Others!
Choose to be God’s Influencer today…
Pray for His favor with Others.
Immerse yourself in His Word
Look out to be a blessing to others to gladden their hearts because they recognize your hope is in God’s Word.
God Bless,
Aidan,