What Does an Influencer Look Like 

This blog’s Scripture  passage reference: Psalm 119:113-120

I have to shake my head sometimes. Things sure have changed from when I first started hand-coding simple HTML documents to load on this new technology called the World Wide Web; or as the world knows it, the “www.” I don’t believe we could have ever dreamed, way back then, of the influence this monster would have on the whole world. 

The thing that has cracked me up recently has been watching either craft videos or cooking videos and seeing them put up links for the items they are talking about or using during the videos. It is everyone from corporations trying to influence the market, to well know celebrity “influencers,” to athletes-turned-influencer, to high school kids attempting to give a shout out to something new, down to  the little ole grandmas plugging their cooking shows online. Everyone is getting into the act. 

Since there are so many out there fighting for air space to influence the world, it kind of makes me wonder, overall, how much influence the influencers actually have. 

As we move on into Psalm 119:113-120, we see the psalmist in light of the “influencer” they could possible be. The psalmist is talking to himself at first. He seemingly hates it when his thoughts go all over the place, uncontrolled in directions that are ungodly or negative. He tells God that he loves His Law and that is where he wants his thoughts to rest. He does not want them spinning around out of control. 

He acknowledges that God is the place where he can go when he needs a place to hide. He knows that God shields him from a lot of things that could harm him. That is one reason he  has hope in the Word of God.

About midway in this passage, the psalmist seems to lose focus. We see him talk about sending away, out of his presence, those that were physically, socially or morally corrupt. He did not want anyone or anything to come between him and the commandments of his God. 

He begged the Lord to sustain him, refresh him according to His Word, that he might live and continue to abandon himself in his hope of the Lord. He seeks for the Lord to establish and support him so that he would be safe.  He vowed to have respect for God’s statutes enduringly.

The psalmist realized that the Lord had trodden down those that have gone astray from the Lord’s statutes because they lived in deceitful falsehood. He acknowledged that the Lord puts away the wicked like the dross that the silversmith would discard, and then again, he set forth his love for the testimonies of the Lord. He would get goose bumps on his skin in complete reverence and holy fear of the Lord. He was in awe of His judgements. The psalmist was someone that had quite a bit of influence. 

I think the overall challenge in this passage for Christ followers would be to stay connected to God and stay faithful to God’s prescribed decrees. It can be difficult to find the time to remain steadfast in our dedication to God’s Law, which should include consistently spending time in prayer and studying and meditating on God’s Word. We should challenge ourselves to keep out of our circle of influence those people that would cause us to stumble and make every effort to keep our testimonies safe from dishonor. 

How can we apply this to our lives?  We can concentrate on God’s Law, keep hope in God’s Word, and make wise decisions. When we need to lean on something or someone, let it be God.  Pray for discernment to make wise decisions, and have a holy reverence for God’s judgements. Truly, try to be a good influence on those we come in contact with.  

H.B. Charles, Jr. shares this example of the power of influence,

“The story is told of a man who stood in the streets of Sodom and Gomorra, calling for repentance. A boy asked, “You know you’re not influencing anyone? Why are you out here?” He answered, “Because I don’t want them to influence me.” [1]

What does this mean to my faith? My faith is strengthened when I read in God’s Word that  God is my ultimate hiding place and the One I can put my hope in.  My spirit is rejuvenated when I know that God will hold me up, strengthen and protect me and honor my decisions to surround myself with others that will encourage and strengthen my faith. Also, I need to try and be the influence on others for Christ, rather than allowing those who would lead me down the wrong paths to be the influence in my life.

Lord, thank You for always being there for me to lean on and depend on. My eternal hope is in You. I ask that You will keep my mind clear and focused on You. Help me to always  have a holy fear and reverence for you. I pray that You will continue to surround me with people that will be an uplifting, dynamic influence my life. 

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 “113 I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love. 114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. 115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God. 116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. 117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. 118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood. 119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies. 120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.”  Psalm 119:113-120 (KJV)

“Thou [art] my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.” Psalm 32:7 (KJV)

“But thou, O LORD, [art] a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.”  Psalm 3:3 (KJV)

“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 (KJV)

“When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.”  Psalm 94:18 (KJV)

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I feel that since God has given me the gift of this platform, I must always tell you about my Jesus.  

What is your relationship to the all-knowing God of the universe?  Do you know Jesus? Do you know the peace that can come only from an intimate relationship with Him?  You can know Him.  Jesus Christ, God’s Son, born into human flesh, sinless, crucified and giving His life freely, buried, arisen on the third day, will come into your life and change the outcome of your eternity.  You just have to be willing to believe and accept His truth.  

Here is an excellent website that can give you additional information about making your decision for Jesus Christ!  PeaceWithGod.net

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1 BLB Online, Commentaries — H.B. Charles, Jr., ‘Choosing Right and Rejecting Wrong’ (Psalm 119:113-120) [https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/charles_hb/sermons/psalms/choosing-right-and-rejecting-wrong-psalm-119-v113-120.cfm?a=597120]