“How joyful are those who fear the Lord – all who follow his ways!” (Psalm 128:1, NLT)
Everyone wants to be happy. No one wants
to be miserable and live a life of discontent. Psalm 128, the ninth
Psalm of Ascent, answers the question, “How does one find happiness?”
True happiness is only found in God. The
key to happiness is in developing an ongoing relationship with God,
fearing and obeying Him in all His ways, in all of our days. Happiness
cannot be obtained when one is living in disobedience to God’s Word.
The Reward of Labor.
When walking in reverence and obedience to God, one will find God
blessing in all he does. The blessing may come in this life or in the
one to come, but we can rest assured, God will reward our labor.
“You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be!”
(verse 2, NLT)
(verse 2, NLT)
The Blessing of Children. It takes patience and years to raise one’s children. But here we are promised our efforts will be rewarded.
“Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees as they sit around your table.”
(verse 3, NLT)
(verse 3, NLT)
The Continuous Blessing.
The psalmist asks the Lord to continually bless, a lasting blessing for
all the days of one’s life. The blessing flows from parents to children
to grandchildren. God passes the blessings along as each generation
walks in His ways.
“God’s blessing is meant to flow from one generation to the next generation.”(from the Key Word Commentary by Mark Water, page 592)
May the Lord continually bless you from Zion. May you see Jerusalem prosper as long as you live.”
(verse 5, NLT)
“The only way to live a remarkable life is not to get everyone to notice you, but to leave noticeable marks of love everywhere you go. You love as well as you are willing to be inconvenienced.It’s never too late to live a remarkable life. Just start leaving marks of love now – right when it’s inconvenient. And then tomorrow. Not twenty years from now. Not two weeks from now. Now. Right now. Always in the inconvenient right now.”
– Ann Voskamp, as quoted in “A Family Shaped by Grace" by Gary Morland, page 173
Today we can begin to make a difference in our families and lives,
and experience the blessings of the Lord.
and experience the blessings of the Lord.
It's sad the devil deceives people so often about happiness in other things except God. The quote about loving when it's inconvenient is convicting.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, I felt convicted as well. It means loving in the immediate moment.
DeleteJoanne,
ReplyDeleteWhat an apt message that is so needed right now. We are called to love especially when it's inconvenient.
Beautiful!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Much appreciated, Bev.
Delete