He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. HIS HEART IS ESTABLISHED, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies (Psalm 112: 7-8)

We live in a hostile environment, created by the curse satan introduced when our disobedient parents, Adam and Eve leased the earth to him. Because we were born into this environment, it is all we have ever known. It takes no effort to become established in fear, weakness, sickness and lack. We are surrounded by people, some who are in church every Sunday and some who are never in church, walking by sight, living and talking according to the natural course of this world. Once we leave here, we are probably going to realize just how much darkness we have been living in.

Psalm 112 is a description of the prosperous believer who values, esteems and lives according to God’s Word, not according to their feelings and circumstances. Even in the midst of turmoil and uncertainty, we can remain stable and constant on God’s Word, but it takes a decision and mind-renewal.

Let’s look closer at verses 7 and 8.

 Vs. 7—He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. What is his heart fixed on? The promises of God. This is why he can trust God and have no fear about the outcome.

The Contemporary English Version says, Bad news won’t bother them; they have decided to trust the Lord.

 When someone says they’re “trusting the Lord,” what exactly are they trusting about Him? For some, it often means, “whatever the Lord wills” and they are leaving it all up to God. That is not trusting the Lord. Trusting the Lord, is trusting what He has already said and done in His Word. So in order to trust Him, you have to go to the Bible and find out what He has already said about your situation. That is what you lean on, take hold of, stand fast to and establish in your heart.

It is true, God will get us through, but He requires something from us to work with—faith. The only source of Bible faith is hearing, speaking and meditating on God’s Word. We are ruled by one or the other—circumstances and feelings —or God’s Word.

They will not live in fear or dread of what may come, for their hearts are firm, ever secure in their faith (The Passion Translation).

 Young’s Literal Translation– Of an evil report he is not afraid, Prepared is His heart, confident in Jehovah.

No matter what may happen, he stands in the consciousness that, if God is for him, no one can successfully be his enemy (Romans 8:31).

 Vs.8—HIS HEART IS ESTABLISHED, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.

The word established in the Hebrew means, “to lean upon, take hold of, uphold, rest self, stand fast, stay, sustain.” A heart (human spirit) established on the promises of God is what is going to uphold, sustain and keep you steady in the midst of turmoil, uncertainty and bad news.

…his heart is steadfast, he shall not be shaken, and he shall see his enemies defeated (Wycliffe ).

 They ·are confident [endure; are unshakeable; 111:8] and will not ·be afraid [fear]; they will look down on their ·enemies [foes]. (Expanded Bible).

 His heart will not be shaken. He will not be afraid and will watch those lose who fight against him (New Life Version).

 Sustained in his heart, he feareth not (Young’s Literal Translation).

Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines “establish” as—“To set and fix firmly or unalterably; to settle permanently, to settle or fix what is wavering, doubtful or weak”.

Whatever you put in your eyes, hears and mouth, will get down into your heart (spirit). What you think and talk about has everything to do with what you believe.

 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace (Romans 8:6).

What you put your mind on determines whether you are living according to the flesh or living according to the Spirit. When your mind is on fleshly, unspiritual things, ie. circumstances and problems, it produces frustration and worry. When you’re walking in the Spirit, you’re keeping your mind on the right things and you have life and peace.

It is interesting to note that the Hebrew word translated established in verse 8, is the same word translated stayed in Isaiah 26:3. Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee.

 The established heart is one that meditates upon God’s Word, and casts the care, burden and pressure of the situation over on the Lord. Here is another powerful scripture that supports this. Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved (Psalm 55:22).

Have you noticed all of the words associated with trusting in the Lord? Fix, sustain, stay, establish.

Go to the Bible and find scriptures that answer your situation. Fix your eyes on them, speak them and meditate on them (think about them) by applying them to your personal situation.

The established heart leans on, stands fast, takes hold of and is sustained by God’s Word. Proverbs 3:5 also tells us to trust in the Lord but it also tells us what NOT to lean on. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not upon thine own understanding.

 Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding (Amplified Classic). Don’t rely on your own limited knowledge of the situation or your feelings.

Prepare your heart in advance by establishing yourself in the Word. Knowing what and who you are in Christ so thoroughly that, no matter what happens, you stand unruffled and unaffected.

Confession: Father, I choose to establish my heart on Your Word as I trust in You. I refuse to fear or be moved by evil tidings or bad news. I choose to believe You will turn every situation for my victory and Your glory.