Psalm 128
The Way of Blessing!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Thursday, August 31.
God loves the children! Jesus made this abundantly clear in word and deed, as He commanded in Matthew 19:14, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” In this scene, it is easy to imagine the children flocking to Jesus, like sheep to a shepherd. Jesus’ desire to bless the children should not have been a surprise to His disciples, as we find the blessings of God upon the family, especially children, in Psalms 127 and 128:
- Psalm 127:3-5, “Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.”
- Psalm 128:3, “Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine within your house, your children like olive plants around your table.”
- Psalm 128:5-6, “The Lord bless you from Zion, and may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. Indeed, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel!”
Poetically written, the psalmist makes a profound connection between God’s blessings upon the family and His blessings upon the city and nation. Peace over your nation and prosperity for your city begin with your faithfulness to God at home with your children – parents carry the power to bless or curse, not only for their children, but their city and nation by how they manage their households. This is a promise with a praxis, “How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways” (1).
Seize the moment and pray Psalm 128, meditating upon God’s call to focus on the family through faithful living – “Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord” (4). This is the way!
God bless you!
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YOUTUBE:
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