Do not imitate false martyrs; keep the true confession

He says not to accustom yourselves to imitating the loving martyrs, even if they appear to enjoy the present life. Therefore, flee from equality and look to future things, because circumstances will not remain constant in these present conditions. He adds that they will soon wither like grass and quickly fall like vegetation. Verse 3: Hope in the Lord, do good, dwell in the land, and you will be fed with its wealth. This means to love prosperity, desire the possession of holy gifts, and love the things preserved for the holy ones and treasured by God. Also, do good, as if speaking to a farmer: produce this fruit. To you, the hearer of divine lessons, the Word says: give the field, do good, which is one of the fruits of the Spirit. The term 'goodness' here signifies every kind of virtue. Furthermore, dwell upon the land by attending to the care of the soul and practicing agriculture, for whatever a person sows, that they will reap. Perhaps he refers to divinely inspired Scripture as the earth, in which the wealth of the holy ones—namely, the promises—is found. He exhorts always to hold the divine oracles with love for the good things stored within them for the holy ones. He uses 'dwell' instead of 'you will dwell,' and states that the land is the one promised to the gentle ones; having become established there, you will be fed upon its wealth, as he says. However, wealth belongs to the heavenly city, the abundant provision of divine gifts. Perhaps he likens the tent to temporal life and desires that we use it as a passing tent—exercising rule over it, not being ruled by it, and moving toward the ultimate goal.

What is beneficial is not pursued for the sake of indulging in pleasures. Instead, we are guided like sheep by the Good Shepherd when someone possesses the riches of divine teachings and finds nourishment in them, enabling the declaration: The Lord is my shepherd, and I shall lack nothing.

This reflects the fourth verse of a sacred text: Find joy in the Lord, and He will grant the desires of your heart. Scripture often presents two figures to illustrate a truth—namely, that whatever quality or condition the lesser person possesses, the greater one also embodies, often in a fuller or more perfect way.

There is sustenance for the inner person, as declared: Humans do not live by bread alone, but by every utterance that comes from the mouth of God. Likewise, there is spiritual drink, for we draw refreshment from the living rock that accompanies us—symbolizing Christ. There is also spiritual clothing: the sinner clothes himself in condemnation, as if wearing a cursed garment, while the righteous clothes himself in the Lord Jesus, in divine compassion, and in the full armor of God.

One who only listens to his own encouraging words receives only superficial nourishment. But the one who dedicates himself to interpreting the law, recounting the prophecies, resolving the symbolic teachings of the Gospels, and clarifying the messages of the apostles finds true delight in the Lord. Such a person eats not from compulsion, nor merely to satisfy physical hunger, but because his soul is fed.

Thus, we are instructed to find delight in the Lord. For God, from the very beginning, desired that we experience spiritual joy, and so He planted the garden of delight and provided the river of delight as gifts to humanity.

Yet no one can fully delight in both the flesh and the spirit at the same time. If one seeks delight in bodily pleasures, like the wealthy who trust in riches, he will lose the deeper joy enjoyed beyond this life—like the joy Abraham knew in faith. But if one consumes the bread of hardship, as the poor who depend on God, then in that very place he finds true delight and rest.

Furthermore, the Lord embodies righteousness, truth, wisdom, and holiness. Therefore, if you find delight not only in reflecting on wisdom’s truths but also in living out righteous actions, then the promise is fulfilled: you will be completely satisfied.

For in delighting in the wisdom of God and practicing justice, the soul reaches its intended fulfillment—nothing is lacking, and every need is met in Him.

Soften yourself before the Lord. True pleasure lies in harboring within you the indwelling source of all life, the divine Word who is the bread of life; and when you hold him inwardly, you will obtain every request of your heart, not merely superficial petitions but those arising from deep within. You will grasp this truth if you embody each part of your being and observe how, by its very nature, it makes its request. Thus, if the eye could speak, it would say to you: I seek light, I seek colors fit for my vision. The ear would say: I desire a voice that sings melody, pleasant and agreeable. The tongue would say: I long for what is sweet.