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Psalm 128

This is another preparatory song, sung like other preparatory songs on the way to the temple atop Mt. Zion.  It begins with a simple instruction followed by a benediction upon those who carry out that instruction. 

The lesson from the Torah that morning was probably going to focus on the meaning of that great Aaronic benediction given to Aaron by God, the benediction to be spoken over all Israel. The benediction was,

"The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
and be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you
and give you peace."

A very important point of this psalm, though, is that this benedictory blessing, actually wasn't for just anyone, but only for certain ones.  It was only for the one who "fears the Lord, who walks in His ways."  The benediction is very bigoted and very exclusivistic – it applies only to people who are truly God's special people, people who will then experience that blessing for life and eternity."  As Solomon said, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."  The benediction, then, is only for those who have made that beginning.

How then can any of us have any part in it?   The answer is that we need first to understand what this fear of the Lord is.  We need to be very, very simple in that understanding.  True fear of the Lord is a heart realization that He is GOD ALMIGHTY, maker of heaven and earth, Ruler of the entire universe at every instant. True fear is a realization that He knows and cares about the very thoughts and intents of every heart.  It is to know, not only in the mind, but at the very seat of all thoughts and actions - at the core of one's being - that He truly is Lord of ALL.  It is to know that it truly matters to Him whether you want to please Him and live by His holy rules.  Finally, it's to trust in His salvation and not in your own efforts.

And what's the result of such an attitude toward God?  The people on the way to Zion sing, "When you eat the labor of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.  Your wife shall be a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, your children like olive plants all around your table."  Simply put, the home of the one who fears God will be blessed and will experience true happiness. There's happiness there because God lives there!

Zion was the center of true life for God's special people.  The temple was the place in which God chose to make Himself known - by Word and prayer as well as by praise.  Thus to be "blessed out of Zion" meant to be blessed by the God Who revealed Himself there.  But such blessing was only for those who feared Him.  For them, and for them alone were the words of the benediction of this psalm: "The Lord bless you out of Zion, and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life.  Yes, may you see your children's children!"  Upon such people was to be the peace of God, for God was at peace with them.  To them the priest could say, "Peace be upon Israel."

Is God at the center, the very core of your life?  Do you fear Him?  In other words, is He truly GOD to you?  Do you realize that He actually cares about what you think and do in all your life?  If so, then God tells you that His blessing is and will be upon you!

Amen and amen, brother!  What a wonderful devotion today.

Al, one of the most difficult things for many of us is believing God loves us.  Creation is easy to believe.  Believing God sent His Son to earth and believing Jesus Christ's death and resurrection is actually easier sometimes than believing God's love for me.  I do believe it but I struggle sometimes to know it in my innermost being.  This is why, one of the reasons for me anyway, I study the Bible.  To know, that I know, that I know.

Thank you for this devotion today.

Grace and peace to you,
Becky

Becky - that deep-down feeling of assurance is just that - a feeling.  It's nice to have, but it guarantees nothing.  The question isn't "how do I feel," but "will I submit."  If you truly desire to submit to Jesus Christ as Lord of your life, of your possessions, relations, actions - everything - then He is not only your Lord, but also your Saviour.