Our living God Pt 18: Be obedient.

Psalm 128                               1Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in obedience to him.  2You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.  3Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.  4Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the LORD.  5May the LORD bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.  6May you live to see your children’s children— peace be on Israel.

What does the ‘fear the LORD’ mean?

The first verse of Psalm 128 says, "Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him."  The idea of fearing God is central to the Bible, but it is often misunderstood.  To many, fear means terror or anxiety, but the fear of the Lord in a biblical sense is different.  It refers to a deep reverence and respect for God.  It is about recognizing His power, holiness, and authority over all things and responding with humility and devotion.

To fear the Lord means to acknowledge that He is the Creator, and we are His creation.  It means understanding that He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and ever-present.  This kind of fear leads to wisdom, as stated in Proverbs 9:10: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."  Fearing the Lord is not about living in constant dread but about having a heart that desires to honor and please God in all things.  It means making choices that reflect His righteousness, avoiding evil, and seeking to live according to His Word.  When a person truly fears the Lord, they do not take His commands lightly.  Instead, they strive to follow Him sincerely, knowing that He desires the best for them.

Psalm 128 promises blessings to those who fear the Lord.  This blessing is not just about material wealth but also about inner peace, joy, and security.  Those who fear God find themselves under His protection and guidance, leading to a life of fulfillment and purpose.

Walk in obedience to him

One of the themes in Psalm 128 is walking in obedience to God.  The passage emphasizes that those who follow God’s ways will experience His blessings.  Obedience is not simply about following rules—it is about trusting that God’s commands are given for our good and choosing to align our lives with His will.

Walking in obedience requires both faith and action.  It is easy to say we believe in God, but true belief is demonstrated in how we live our daily lives.  Obedience means choosing to do what is right even when it is difficult.  It means making moral choices, treating others with kindness and fairness, and prioritizing our relationship with God above all else.  The Bible provides many examples of individuals who walked in obedience and experienced God’s blessings.  Abraham obeyed God when he was called to leave his homeland, and he became the father of many nations.  Moses followed God's commands and led the Israelites out of slavery.  Even Jesus, the Son of God, lived in perfect obedience to the Father, demonstrating the ultimate example of a life surrendered to God's will.

For the common person, walking in obedience means applying biblical principles in everyday life.  It means being honest in business dealings, faithful in relationships, and compassionate toward others.  It means prioritizing time with God in prayer and scripture reading.  When we walk in obedience, we position ourselves to receive God's blessings, not because we earn them, but because we are in alignment with His divine purpose.

Eat the fruit of your labor

Psalm 128:2 states, "You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours."  This verse highlights an important principle: those who work diligently and honorably will enjoy the rewards of their efforts.

Work is a fundamental part of human life.  From the beginning, God designed mankind to be productive.  In Genesis, Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden to tend and care for it.  Work is not a curse but a calling. When done with integrity and purpose, it brings satisfaction and fulfillment.

Eating the fruit of one’s labor means enjoying the benefits of hard work.  It suggests stability, provision, and the ability to care for oneself and one’s family.  In contrast, laziness or dishonesty in work often leads to frustration and lack.  The Bible consistently praises diligence and warns against idleness.  Proverbs 14:23 states, "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty."

However, Psalm 128 does not suggest that work alone is the source of blessing.  Rather, it implies that when work is combined with a reverence for God and obedience to His ways, it leads to true prosperity.  This prosperity is not only financial but also emotional and spiritual.  A person who fears God and walks in obedience finds joy in their labor, knowing that their work has meaning and purpose.

Moreover, the verse suggests that one should not only work hard but also enjoy the rewards of that labor.  Some people work tirelessly but never take the time to appreciate what they have achieved.  The Bible encourages balance—diligence in work but also gratitude and enjoyment of its fruits.  This means taking time to rest, spending quality time with loved ones, and appreciating the simple blessings of life.

What about me?

I meet many people in the course of my job and I occasionally get asked what advice I have for them as they begin their life.  Always I answer, “Love the LORD you God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength,” “Set goals and strive to meet them,” and “Trust in Jesus, and hold to Godly precepts.”  Usually, I get an answer along the lines of “I try to live a moral life.”  The trouble with this answer is it tells me the person has no relationship with Jesus but claims to put his principles into action.

This is not possible; people don’t have the strength or fortitude to live a Godly life on their own, especially for the long term.  Psalm 128 offers a timeless and practical guide to a blessed life.  It teaches that fearing the Lord leads to wisdom and reverence, which in turn leads to obedience.  Walking in obedience to God results in blessings and a life of fulfillment.  This psalm serves as a reminder that God’s blessings are not reserved for the elite or the powerful but are available to all who choose to follow Him.  By fearing the Lord, walking in His ways, and working with integrity, anyone can experience the peace, prosperity, and joy that come from living a life aligned with God’s purpose.  In a world where many seek happiness in wealth, status, or fleeting pleasures, Psalm 128 points to a deeper and more lasting source of fulfillment: a life rooted in faith, obedience, and purposeful work.  Those who embrace these principles will find themselves truly blessed—not only in material ways but also in their hearts and souls.