PSALM 128

A Song of Ascents. Blessed [is] every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways. 2 When you eat the labor of your hands, You [shall be] happy, and [it shall be] well with you. 3 Your wife [shall be] like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table. 4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD. 5 The LORD bless you out of Zion, And may you see the good of Jerusalem All the days of your life. 6 Yes, may you see your children’s children. Peace [be] upon Israel!

PSALM 128:1-6

BLESSED WHEN WE FOCUS ON THE LORD

We live in a culture that is enamored with health, beauty, and wealth. We are intrigued by articles that tell us about antioxidants, vitamins, probiotics, etc. that all seem to be the key to good health. We are told to do the crossword puzzles or play music to keep us from getting dementia (or at least keep it at bay). Magazines demonstrate what a better home and garden really look like or how we should organize our plate for health. They all seem to be aiming for a long and healthy life. But what if God has something better for us… What if we are intended to live a well ordered life. 

What if the secret to fulfillment isn’t wealth, fitness, or beauty. What if the secret is really having everything in our lives in a right relationship to Go?

Happiness doesn’t come from wealth, health, or power, but comes from a spiritual perspective. I am most happy not by my work, but by Who I worship! We are blessed when we fear God. The word fear here is to indicate respect. We have to ask ourselves the question. Do I respect God?

When I was a kid and I used to go hunting with my dad there were folks who would let us hunt on their land, but they had a few rules. If for example, they had a log for us to sign in and out when we came on and off the property, we had to go sign the log even if it was inconvenient, because we respected them and were honored with the privilege of hunting there. It was there property. 

If we respect God, we will walk in his ways. We will honor him by our thoughts and our deeds. If His way is to honor the wife of my youth. Then I should honor the wife of my youth. From that flows blessing to my children, described as olive shoots (who incidentally don’t grow on a vine, is this a nod to adoption? or I think perhaps something spiritual like being born again!)

Honoring God provides blessing not only in our homes but grows to other generations. What a blessing indeed it is when the blessing and favor of God rest on a family for generations.

PRAYER

I’m not sure the original context of this prayer, but I had it down as an illustration for how God takes the challenges of life and makes something good out of them. I think in the original illustration a deacon is praying. But I saw it today as I glanced back a file of notes I had for this Psalm and I thought it was a fresh way of praying and looking at things so I included it today in the prayer section. (It is not original with me and I don’t know where I got it from).

“Lord, I absolutely hate the taste of buttermilk. You know that about me. And I hate lard. You know that, too. And you also know that I don’t like the taste of raw, white flour. But Lord, when all of these bad-tasting things get mixed together and baked, they make for delicious biscuits, and You know that I do love my wife’s biscuits. So, help us all to understand, Lord, that when things happen that we don’t like and we don’t know why You aren’t rescuing us from them, we just need to let You finish Your mixing and baking. If we will do that, the biscuits You’ll have for us in the end will be absolutely delicious. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.