July 7, 2020
For the next 15 days we will be reading through the Psalms of Ascent together as a church! The Psalms of Ascent are a collection of 15 psalms (Psalms 120-134) that pilgrims would sing on their way up to Jerusalem to worship. These songs are meant to instruct and prepare the hearts of the traveler to worship the Lord! As sojourners and aliens in this world, we too need to have our hearts prepared for and instructed in the worship of our God. Let’s meditate on these psalms and allow the Spirit of the Lord to move us to true worship as we seek Him together!
This is a wisdom psalm which presents us with the blessedness of all people who fear the Lord and walk in His ways. The pilgrim worshipper sings this song as a reminder both to himself and to others of the divine blessing that comes from living in the blessed way which God has called us to!
In the song the psalmist paints a picture of the man who fears the Lord having an aura of divine blessing which surrounds both his work and his family. Not only is the man himself blessed, but the land he works is blessed with fruitfulness and his family is blessed too!
The ending of the song extends the reach of this blessing even further: the psalmist proclaims a blessing asking that all of God’s people might walk in this way and experience this blessing, which would lead to prosperity for Jerusalem and peace for Israel. The blessing that the individual experiences as a result of fearing the Lord and walking in His ways extends to his work, his family and his entire community as well!
We see the opposite effect in the Scriptures as well: sometimes the sin of the individual can be the blight which is bringing down the entire community of God’s people (see Joshua 7). Our faithfulness or faithlessness has far-reaching consequences beyond our own lives, and we must remember that our walk with Christ is in some ways communal even more than it is personal!
Psalm 128
Blessed Is Everyone Who Fears the Lord
A Song of Ascents.
128 Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
who walks in his ways!
2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.
4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
who fears the Lord.
5 The Lord bless you from Zion!
May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life!
6 May you see your children’s children!
Peace be upon Israel!
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Family Discussion Question:
- Have you ever considered that your faithful obedience could be affecting the health of the entire church? Have you ever considered that your sin could be affecting it too? How can we respond to take hold of the blessing God promises to those who fear Him and walk in His ways, for the sake of the entire community of faith?
I will fear the Lord and walk in His ways.
Father, thank you for holding me close during this difficult time. The dawn is breaking, may I use this day to further your kingdom. May I again be able to hold my children’s children in my arms. Thank you, Father, for your many blessings. Amen
Good morning Lord!
Please remind me that I need to surrender to you and trust in your supernatural power before I can walk in your ways. Also, help me understand that salvation is more of a “we” thing than a “me” thing.
AMEN and HALLELUJAh!!! Lord I want to be that bright light that everyone can see. I want to shine in your love. I want to walk in the light not the dark. I know I need to clean my lamp in order to see you my Lord and Savior. I ask this in Jesus name Amen
I am to be that light on the darkness around me. If I don’t clean my lamp, it will not be bright so that others see You. Help me to be clean for You so that I might be a blessing to others.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Help me to always walk with You and be obedient to Your commandments. I want to be an instrument for Your peace and glory. May I forever live a life pleasing to You and one that will edify and build up the body of believers. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
We all have areas of weakness in our lives, and not being obedient to the Lord’s commands will affect us and the rest of the family of God. Help us each day Lord to lean on Your strength for ourselves, our families, our brothers and sisters in Christ , so that we may draw others to You.
Help me always to be that light that brings others to you through my intercessory prayers every morning and when people see me as I tell them it is Jesus they see it is not me. I cannot do this without you.
Lord You are the vine, we are the branches & without You we can do nothing. Make us fruitful for Your names sake, that Your name is hallowed, that Your Kingdom comes & Your will is done in/through us & on earth as it is in heaven. To the praise & glory of Your name, Amen!
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the many blessings that you have given me and the USA. We have been rewarded in so many ways and unfortunately we haven’t recognized our many blessings. Help us to call out all the unrighteousness what it is and it is sin. We are becoming and allowing sin to take control of our country as we are allowing and accepting things that goes against your word. Help us all to speak the truth in love and gives us the strength and wisdom to stand firm on your word with boldness and humility. Forgive us all for our sins and for not letting our light shine bright as we should stand up for what we know is right and truth. Help us to see how Satan is trying to divide us and continue to create chaos as we know this doesn’t come from you. We know you have a perfect and holy plan and we can rest knowing that you are in control. Thank you for grace, peace and love that you continue to give to us. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
Thank you Lord for reminding me today, that my actions have real consequences, not only for me, my family, but even the church. I pray that this vision, of my righteousness and my sin being a blessing or a curse to the church, will help me be less faithless and more faithful for your kingdom’s sake.
God promises to bless, provide for, and use the family units committed to Him.
Thank the Lord for Him blessing me with a Godly wife, three children and their spouses, and seven grandchildren. What a blessing.
May we continue to walk with God and serve Him all our days.