The Blessed Life

A Blessed Life | Psalm 128 August 13, 2023 Last week as I was on the final stages of this sermon, I had to walk away from something that meant a lot to me. Something that I invested a lot of time and energy in, and something that I became very passionate about. Because of the circumstances that led to that decision, I was very upset, admittedly for several days. The next morning, however, I went back to praying the psalms and the opening verse in Psalm 9 were the perfect reminder that I needed. It says, I WILL GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD WITH MY WHOLE HEART; I WILL RECOUNT ALL OF YOUR WONDERFUL DEEDS. You see, difficulties and hardships are part of this life. We can do one of two things in response to it. We can sulk in it, or we can "recount all of His wonderful deeds," and in doing so, move on. Later in that same Psalm, David writes about his enemies stumbling before God as they walk down their own path. These Psalms of Ascents that we've been in are all "walking" psalms. They are all pictures of the journey, and all of them that we've reviewed, so far, discuss the hardships that come with that walk, and the blessings that result from walking with the Lord. What if I told you that there is one clear choice in which direction we are to take on this walk? Let's read Psalm 128 and see what the psalmist says ... 128 A SONG OF ASCENTS. 1 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! A couple of weeks ago, we studied Psalm 127 along side Psalm 122. In hindsight, Psalm 127 is more closely aligned with Psalm 128. This is because both are considered "wisdom psalms." Wisdom psalms, of course, are part of wisdom literature, and wisdom literature has its own genre within the Scriptures, and as such require a certain way of interpretation. The wisdom books we're probably most familiar with includes Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, and, as we've seen twice already, there are also wisdom psalms. Wisdom sayings in this genre may not always be prescriptive, rather they suggest possible outcomes based on potential choices. In other words, a psalm like 128 must be viewed as a general statement, not exactly a promise that the Lord will fulfill. I'm sure many of us can look at our own lives to see that as truth. For example, this psalm, like Psalm 127 speaks of children and family, which some of you here do not have. This does not mean that God has not blessed you, it simply means that God has determined to bless you in other ways. The reason I bring this up, is that it is critical to our understanding of this psalm. And we must conclude, as hinted a moment ago, how we choose to act on God's blessings will determine how blessed we truly feel. I say "feel" for a reason. The word "blessed" appears twice in this psalm, in verses one and two, then again in verse four. In our bibles, the two phrases seem identical, but two different words for blessed are used here. * In verses one and two, the word used for blessed is ashre which is "not about receiving a reward ... it's about a state of bliss." The Hebrew word describes the inner character of the person, and is never used about God, although in relation to submission not God. A simple translation of this could be "happy." * In verse four, the word used for blessed is barak which is used to describe God blessing His people. It's always a result of God's grace and is not dependent on anything that the person receiving he blessing does. Why is this important? I think it's foundational to this psalm. This psalm is describing the wisdom - which, recall, biblical wisdom is directly related to skill - that lies in following the Lord. Hopefully this background to this psalm is useful as we dive into the main idea this morning, which is: Walking with the Lord results in a blessed life. Remember, as a wisdom psalm, we recognize that, generally speaking, the one who is walking with the Lord will make better decisions, as they desire to be obedient to the Lord, as a response to what God has done for us. So, let's first discuss: HOW TO WALK IN HIS WAYS: Now, before we get into three practical ways to walk with the Lord, it would be wise to understand that statement a little more. One commentator said that "the image of walking indicates constant devotion and routine obedience to Yahweh over the course of life." This implies a lifestyle of walking upright. I've been reading a book called "The Pursuit of Holiness" by Jerry Bridges. I think the idea of pursuing holiness goes hand and hand with this idea of walking in His ways. Just like we discussed last week, if you were here with us, how we walk is found on the foundation of God's Word. Bridges concludes that Bible memorization, "is the way we develop conviction - by bringing God's Word to bear on specific situations that arise in our lives and determining God's will in that situation from the Word." He goes on to give some additional tips on how to know right from wrong when it is not specifically stated in the Scriptures. He suggests asking several questions, to include: * Is what I'm about to do helpful - physically, spiritually, and mentally? * Does what I'm about to do something that will bring me under its power? * Does what I'm about to do hurt others? * Finally, is what I'm about to do glorify God? Having this mindset, and this set of questions, allows us to make decisions relative of someone walking with the Lord. So, really - how do we walk in His ways? As noted, the psalm reveals at least three things. First: * Fear the Lord (1). o This is why I didn't bring this up earlier, as I knew we'd touch on it here. o In borrowing some language and concepts from Pastor Pat when he taught on Proverbs 1 last year, we know from the Old Testament that there are several meanings that the Hebrew word for fear has: * First would be, terror in a frightening situation, * second would be respect for one's master, * and third, reverence or awe that we feel in the presence of someone great o So, the idea of fearing the Lord really is connected with each of these meanings. o Here is a great quote that he used to describe this: [fear of the Lord is] the continual awareness that our loving heavenly Father is watching and evaluating everything we think, say, and do. o No sin is unnoticed by God. So, we must live with that truth in minds and in our hearts. o It's like hearing those two dreadful words from your father, "I'm disappointed" except countless times worse. o There are really two responses to those fear the Lord. * For those who have been saved by the work of Jesus on the cross, our fear should lead to us bowing before Him, as the other response would be ... * to run from Him in fear. o So, in this context, fear of the Lord results in us walking with the Lord, which results in happiness or blessings. o There are several results from a healthy and right fear of God: * It will cause one to be humble, not proud * It will cause one to listen to the Lord and His wisdom, and * it will cause one to be obedient. o This is not a new command either, Paul told the church in Galatia to walk by the Spirit, which results in not gratifying the desires of the flesh. John in his first epistle warns not to walk in darkness, but instead to walk in the light, which results in fellowship with the Lord. o So, you see, a healthy fear of the Lord drives us to have a desire to please Him. o Next, the Psalmist says we are to ... * Enjoy the fruits of your labor (2). o Earlier, I mentioned Psalm 127 and its connection to this psalm. o A large part of that connection is found here in the concept of work. o This verse affirms that we are not working just for the sake of making and saving money, but here the Lord says we should be enjoying the fruit that it yields. o So, how do we do this? o Broadly speaking, it requires that we understand and acknowledge that our skills, gifts, and abilities are a gift from God. o With that gift, He desires that we use them to serve others. o Since this psalm speaks so much on blessings through walking in that path, we must recognize its connection to our work as well. o Look at what Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 5:18-20: * 18 BEHOLD, WHAT I HAVE SEEN TO BE GOOD AND FITTING IS TO EAT AND DRINK AND FIND ENJOYMENT IN ALL THE TOIL WITH WHICH ONE TOILS UNDER THE SUN THE FEW DAYS OF HIS LIFE THAT GOD HAS GIVEN HIM, FOR THIS IS HIS LOT. 19 EVERYONE ALSO TO WHOM GOD HAS GIVEN WEALTH AND POSSESSIONS AND POWER TO ENJOY THEM, AND TO ACCEPT HIS LOT AND REJOICE IN HIS TOIL-THIS IS THE GIFT OF GOD. 20 FOR HE WILL NOT MUCH REMEMBER THE DAYS OF HIS LIFE BECAUSE GOD KEEPS HIM OCCUPIED WITH JOY IN HIS HEART. o This isn't an application on frivolous spending, rather a way to outwardly show your appreciation for what the Lord has blessed us with. o Next, * Count your blessings (3-4) o Again, another call back to Psalm 127. o The psalmist here, speaks to the blessing of work, as we saw a moment ago, then he mentions the fruitful wife and their children as part of these blessings from God. o He uses two pictures here, the fruitful vine to describe a man's wife, and states that his children will be like olive shoots around the table. o Culturally, for the Jews in that time, this could be looked at as the blessing of a large family, which was viewed as a blessing from God. o Nationally, speaking of Israel as a whole, both the vine and olives were important to the economy. o Even in Song of Solomon, a husband's love for his wife is illustrated by the vine and olive tree. o James Montgomery Boice stated, "The interesting thing about these two images, vines and olive plants, is that they are biblical symbols of the abundant life. They are not food staples like wheat or corn. They symbolize rich blessing." o So, you see, the psalmist here is saying that the one who fears the Lord will have their blessings with their work and with their family. o I must acknowledge that some here are or were never married, and some here have not had children. I know we've spoken a lot about work and families. Some of you are in a different season of life and are retired and/or volunteering. Others are single and/or unmarried. Others have not had children. Does this mean that you are not blessed? Does this mean that you are not walking in the way of the Lord? Of course not. Think about all the greats in the New Testament that were unmarried and without children. John the Baptist. Paul the Apostle. Jesus of Nazareth. The Christian - single or otherwise - are part of the family of God. And there is no bigger blessing than that. Recall when Jesus in Luke 20 and Matthew 22 explicitly says that there is no marriage in our eternal state. We as the church are the bride of Christ, and as such, we can enjoy his blessings in whatever state we're in, right here where He has us. Earlier we said that: walking with the Lord results in a blessed life. We may not have a six-figure job, or a big home, or a fancy car. But do you have Jesus? That's the biggest blessing of all. Do you fear God? Are you walking with Him? Then you are blessed, my friends. Sometimes we just need reminders like this. Because we can easily look at passages like this and equate blessings with specific things - then compare them to what we do or don't have - but what is of most importance is the ultimate blessing that we have in Christ alone. Because we see that the Lord blesses us with everyday things. And that's really what this psalm reminds us of. To be content with what we have. To find enjoyment in the life the Lord has given us. So, your bulletin outlines, I've left some room to think about and list everything that you have been blessed with. After you write that list, pray through it, and offer your thanksgiving to the One Who provides. I'll give you a few moments, then we'll close our time in a word of prayer. 2