Blessings of Obedience: Fear the Lord

Devotional

Day 1: Obedience as a Path to Blessing

The fear of the Lord is not about feelings but about living a life of obedience. This obedience brings blessings that are not limited by external factors like race or class but are available to all who honor God. The psalmist emphasizes that the fear of the Lord is a lifestyle choice, a commitment to walk in His ways. This path of obedience is open to everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances. It is a call to live a life that reflects God's values and principles, leading to a life filled with His blessings. [02:24]

"Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity." (Proverbs 28:14, ESV)

Reflection: In what specific area of your life is God calling you to greater obedience today, and how can you take a concrete step towards that obedience?

Day 2: The Fruitfulness of Labor and Family

The blessings of fearing the Lord include enjoying the fruits of one's labor and a thriving family life. These blessings are depicted through the imagery of a fruitful vine and olive plants, symbolizing love, community, and flourishing. The psalmist paints a picture of a home where hard work is rewarded, and love abounds. This imagery extends beyond mere physical prosperity to include emotional and spiritual richness. It is a reminder that God's blessings encompass all aspects of life, bringing fulfillment and joy to those who walk in His ways. [05:36]

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth." (Psalm 127:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a spirit of gratitude for the work you do and the family you have, seeing them as gifts from God?

Day 3: Singleness as a Calling

While marriage and children are blessings, they are not the only blessings God bestows. Singleness, as exemplified by Jesus and Paul, is also a calling and can be a source of great blessing. The psalmist acknowledges that God's blessings are diverse and not confined to one particular life situation. Singleness is presented as a unique opportunity to serve God wholeheartedly and to experience His blessings in different ways. It is a reminder that every stage of life has its own set of blessings and opportunities for growth and service. [12:04]

"I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord." (1 Corinthians 7:32, ESV)

Reflection: If you are single, how can you embrace this season as a unique opportunity to serve God and others more fully?

Day 4: The Impact of a Blessed Home on Community

A blessed home contributes to a blessed community. The psalmist prays for peace upon Israel, recognizing that personal and domestic blessings should extend to the community and nation. This vision of communal blessing highlights the interconnectedness of individual and collective well-being. A home that honors God becomes a source of blessing for the wider community, promoting peace and prosperity. It is a call to extend the blessings we receive to those around us, fostering a spirit of unity and love. [21:59]

"But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." (Jeremiah 29:7, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively contribute to the well-being of your community, using the blessings you have received to bless others?

Day 5: Jesus as the Ultimate Blessed Man

Jesus is the ultimate blessed man who perfectly feared the Lord and walked in His ways. In Jesus, we are blessed out of Zion, receiving the eternal blessings of His death and resurrection. The psalmist's vision of blessing finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, who embodies perfect obedience and brings God's blessings to all who follow Him. Through Jesus, we receive not only temporal blessings but also the promise of eternal life. It is an invitation to find our ultimate blessing in a relationship with Him, experiencing the fullness of His grace and love. [25:04]

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you deepen your relationship with Jesus today, recognizing Him as the source of all true blessings in your life?

Sermon Summary

Psalm 128 offers a profound reflection on the blessings that come to those who fear the Lord and walk in His ways. This psalm, part of the Songs of Ascent, was sung by travelers on their way to Jerusalem, emphasizing the connection between worship, home, and community. It challenges the notion that faith should be a private affair, instead presenting a biblical vision where faith influences every aspect of life, including family and community.

The psalm begins by declaring that everyone who fears the Lord and walks in His ways is blessed. This fear is not about feelings but about living a life of obedience. The blessings described are not limited by race, class, or intelligence but are available to all who honor God. The psalmist illustrates these blessings through the imagery of a fruitful family life, where hard work is rewarded, and a happy home is filled with love and community.

Verses 2 and 3 describe the blessings of labor and family. The one who fears the Lord will enjoy the fruits of their labor, and their family will thrive. The psalmist uses the imagery of a fruitful vine and olive plants to depict a flourishing family. This imagery extends beyond mere reproduction to include kindness, thrift, and affection. The psalm acknowledges that while marriage and children are blessings, they are not the only blessings God bestows. Singleness, as exemplified by Jesus and Paul, is also a calling and can be a source of great blessing.

The psalm concludes with a blessing for the community and the nation, emphasizing that a blessed home contributes to a blessed community. The psalmist prays for peace upon Israel, recognizing that personal and domestic blessings should extend to the community. This psalm ultimately points to Jesus as the ultimate blessed man who perfectly feared the Lord and walked in His ways. In Jesus, we are blessed out of Zion, receiving the eternal blessings of His death and resurrection.

Key Takeaways

1. The fear of the Lord is not about feelings but about living a life of obedience. This obedience brings blessings that are not limited by external factors like race or class but are available to all who honor God. [02:24]
2. The blessings of fearing the Lord include enjoying the fruits of one's labor and a thriving family life. These blessings are depicted through the imagery of a fruitful vine and olive plants, symbolizing love, community, and flourishing. [05:36]
3. While marriage and children are blessings, they are not the only blessings God bestows. Singleness, as exemplified by Jesus and Paul, is also a calling and can be a source of great blessing. [12:04]
4. A blessed home contributes to a blessed community. The psalmist prays for peace upon Israel, recognizing that personal and domestic blessings should extend to the community and nation. [21:59]
5. Jesus is the ultimate blessed man who perfectly feared the Lord and walked in His ways. In Jesus, we are blessed out of Zion, receiving the eternal blessings of His death and resurrection. [25:04]
** [25:04]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:22] - Introduction to Psalm 128
[01:08] - Worship, Home, and Community
[02:24] - The Fear of the Lord
[03:26] - Blessings for All
[05:36] - Blessings of Labor and Family
[08:12] - The Fruitful Vine and Olive Plants
[10:54] - Marriage and Singleness
[13:04] - The Vine and Olive Tree Imagery
[15:28] - Assurance of Blessing
[18:52] - Blessing from Zion
[21:59] - Peace Upon Israel
[24:49] - Pointing to Jesus
[27:06] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Psalm 128

Bible Reading:
- Psalm 128
- Proverbs 1:7
- Ecclesiastes 12:13

Observation Questions:

What does Psalm 128 say about the blessings that come to those who fear the Lord and walk in His ways? How are these blessings described? [02:24]
How does the psalmist use the imagery of a fruitful vine and olive plants in Psalm 128 to describe family life? What do these images symbolize? [05:36]
According to the sermon, what is the relationship between personal blessings and community blessings as described in Psalm 128? [21:59]
How does the sermon describe the role of singleness in the context of blessings, as exemplified by Jesus and Paul? [12:04]

Interpretation Questions:

In what ways does the fear of the Lord, as described in Psalm 128, differ from a mere emotional response? How is it connected to obedience? [04:14]
How might the imagery of a fruitful vine and olive plants extend beyond physical family to include other forms of community and relationships? [10:26]
What does the sermon suggest about the impact of a blessed home on the wider community and nation? How does this align with the psalmist's prayer for peace upon Israel? [21:59]
How does the sermon connect the blessings described in Psalm 128 to the life and work of Jesus? What does it mean to be "blessed out of Zion"? [25:04]

Application Questions:

Reflect on your own life: How do you currently "fear the Lord" and walk in His ways? Are there areas where you feel challenged to grow in obedience? [04:14]
Consider the imagery of a fruitful vine and olive plants. In what ways can you cultivate a flourishing environment in your home or community, even if you are single or without children? [10:26]
How can you actively contribute to the peace and well-being of your community, as encouraged by the psalmist's prayer for peace upon Israel? What specific actions can you take this week? [21:59]
The sermon highlights the blessings of labor. How do you view your work in light of Psalm 128? Are there ways you can find greater joy and fulfillment in your daily tasks? [05:36]
Reflect on the role of singleness as a calling. How can you embrace your current life stage, whether single or married, as a source of blessing and purpose? [12:04]
How does the example of Jesus as the ultimate blessed man inspire you to live a life that honors God? What specific steps can you take to follow His example more closely? [25:04]
In what ways can you ensure that the blessings you receive extend beyond your personal life to impact your community and nation positively? [21:59]

Sermon Clips

"there's a sense in which the enemy of our soul and of our communities would have us divide all those things in other words well it's fine for you to have your faith you just need to keep it an extremely private affair you shouldn't allow your faith to really govern over your family and you certainly shouldn't allow your faith to have influence in the community that's not the biblical conception at all" [00:01:30]

"blessed is everyone who fears the lord who walks in his ways the proper honor and respect that the creature owes to the creator is described here as the one who fears the lord several places in the old testament this fear of the lord or again i would say the proper honor and respect that the creature owes to the creator that's described as being the beginning of wisdom" [00:02:24]

"notice this blessing is available to everyone to all who will honor and respect god they will receive this it is not dependent on race it is not dependent on class it is not dependent on education or even intelligence notice a bishop george horn said that happiness belongs not to the rich the powerful and the prosperous as such but in every state and condition blessed is the man who fears the lord" [00:03:23]

"you see fearing the lord is not fundamentally a matter of having certain feelings towards god really it's much more of living a life of obedience again g campbell morgan observes this he says the deepest and central truth concerning him is that he fears jehovah the reality of that fear is seen in that he walks in the ways of jehovah such a man is indeed blessed that is happy in the true sense of that word" [00:04:20]

"when you eat the labor of your hands you shall be happy and it shall be well with you your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house your children like olive plants all around your table now notice the psalmist has in mind first in verse 2 the hard-working farmer who enjoys the food of his own work" [00:05:36]

"good wives are also fruitful in kindness in thrift helpfulness and affection if they bear no children they are by no means barren if they we yield us the wine of consolation and the clusters of comfort so yes it's true that here primarily the psalmist has in mind the bearing of children as being an expression of that fruitful vine but by no means is that the only way that a woman or a wife can be fruitful for god in this world" [00:10:14]

"christianity brought in the idea that singleness is also a calling of god that really isn't present in judaism matter of fact christianity brings in the idea and you'll find paul writing about this in first corinthians that in some cases if it is in the calling of god singleness is to be preferred over being married let's not forget jesus was single he never married" [00:12:04]

"the strength of any city lies in its strong family life the true strength of the family issues from its ordering in the fear of the lord now we come to the last verse of psalm 128 where it says yes may you see your children's children peace be upon israel the blessing to the one who fears the lord goes beyond their holy city and it impacts the holy family" [00:21:52]

"the psalmist understood that if the people of israel did fear the lord then this blessing of shalom of peace would be evident in their community in their family and in the kingdom as a whole again a wonderful idea and as alexander mclaren says he says the ancient singer had a true conception of the obligations flowing from personal and domestic blessings" [00:23:32]

"jesus is the ultimate blessed man if you go back to verse 1 the idea is repeated in verse 4 but in verse 1 it says blessed is everyone who fears the lord who walks in his ways this is true of any man or woman in general but it was perfectly true of jesus christ he was blessed well i'll quote to you bishop horn that anglican bishop who wrote a wonderful commentary on the psalms he said that jesus was blessed above all the sons of men and the author a blessing to them" [00:25:04]

"we are blessed in so many ways by what jesus did for us in jerusalem especially his great work his eternally significant work of his death and resurrection for his people indeed in the new covenant we are blessed out of zion let's consider these things marvelous marvelous things for us here in psalm 128" [00:26:36]

"father in heaven we look to jesus who is the perfect fulfillment of the blessed man who fears you and walks in your ways but lord we want to be that in the fullest sense possible for us so lord teach us to fear you teach us to walk in your ways and therefore to receive the blessing that you will put upon our family upon our community and upon our nation from having a people that fears the lord and walks in his ways" [00:27:06]

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