|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways! (Psalm 128:1, ESV)
The best way to live begins and ends with fearing God! Psalms 128 explains the three great blessings received from glorifying God.
These blessings include fulfillment with work or calling, a peaceful and productive family, and, finally, a prosperous nation. In other words, the fear of God brings blessings to us, our families, and our country.
A blessed life. . .
Whether we admit it or not, we all are motivated by fear. Some, from fear, attempt to control their days and the lives of those closest to them. But they don’t find peace, only doubt, anxiety, and discouragement.
When we fear God, His laws, and seek His will, we receive the blessing of Matthew 6:33. . .
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Or, as Psalm 128 describes. . .
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you (v. 2).
A blessed family. . .
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord (vv. 3-4).
Author Timothy Keller writes. . .
A loving spouse and growing children are a great blessing. But sin in the heart and evil in the world have disrupted the life of the human family. Many wish to have families who don’t, and many who have families wish they had very different ones. There are also people who have suffered terrible abuse within their families.
What has been your family situation?
I had a great family and parents who feared God. But many have a different story. If you have been abused in your family or desire to have a God-fearing family, read Ephesians 1 through 4 over and over. It describes a family that we can all enjoy.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places . . . he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will (Ephesians 1:3, 5).
A blessed country. . .
The Lord bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life! May you see your children’s children! Peace be upon Israel! (Psalm 128:5-6).
God brings blessing on the land of those who fear Him. This country receives the promise of “the prosperity of Israel and Jerusalem.”
If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land (Deuteronomy 30:16).
God-fearing people cause God-fearing families who cause a God-fearing nation. Then, let the blessings flow.
Amen. Peace out!