Thought for the Week

Psalm 128. The blessings of God’s love.

When I read Psalm 128, two questions spring to mind.

1. What makes us blessed?
2. And what motivates us to ‘walk in his ways’?

The first thing to acknowledge is this word: ‘fear’ (v1 & 4). It doesn’t mean we are terrified; rather it means to be in awe, to respect and honour something. Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.

We don’t know who wrote Psalm 128. But perhaps the author had Job in mind. Note the similarity in Psalm 128 v 1 to Job 1v1.

Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.

And yet sadly, Job still suffered. You see the trap that befell Job was the idea that he was saved because he was blameless and upright and because he turned away evil. Job had to endure suffering and pain and loss to learn that all have sinned and that no one can save them self. It is only through the mercy of God that we can be saved. A truly humbling experience.

In life, many things don’t go to plan. There is sickness, suffering, death and sadness. Even for those who like Job and like in this psalm ‘fear the Lord and walk in his ways’.

James 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure.

God does not like suffering and pain, but he often permits it in our lives to help mould and shape us. We don’t know why, other than the understanding that God is in control and to trust him.

The true blessing is God’s mercy and love, the gift of life and hope through Jesus. All blessings come from God.

In God’s eyes, the way that we fear (honour) him and walk in his ways, is to first understand that nothing that we can do will save ourselves, and understand that it is only through Christ that we can be saved.

When we understand this, we:

1. Will want to serve God. We will hunger and thirst for righteousness. Walking in his ways and following the example of Christ will come naturally. And sure, we may fall short of that perfect example but thanks be to God that through Christ we can be saved.
2. Can’t help but be happy and have a sense of comfort in this truth. v2 ‘happy thou shalt be’. Even in trials and suffering we can be comforted.
3. Understand: The gift of God, The greatest blessing, The answer to the questions above.

And this blessing is available to all. ‘Blessed is every one’.

Let us rejoice in God for his abundant mercy, love and blessings. Let us trust in God that he will save us. Let us find happiness and comfort that God is guiding us, working with us and moulding us for his work and for life in his Kingdom.