Psalms 128

Blessed: The Life That Fears the Lord

“Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways.” ~ Psalms 128:1

What does it mean to fear the Lord? Some would say it means to have awe and reverence, while others might imagine fear as terror, like wanting to run away and hide. Many people view God as distant, angry, and intimidating, almost like the great and powerful wizard in The Wizard of Oz, thundering from behind a curtain. But that is not the picture of God we see in Scripture.

To fear the Lord means to respect, honor, and love Him enough to trust and follow His ways. It’s not about cowering in fear but about having a deep awareness of Who He is, His holiness, His power, and His goodness. This is the kind of fear that leads to blessing.

I have often thought about the different kinds of fear we can have. Personally, my greatest fear isn’t failure or hardship, it’s the fear of being without Him and the fear of not having His presence in my life. The thought of going through my days without hearing His direction and without growing closer to Him, is something that stirs my heart deeply. I don’t want to just live life, I want to live it with Him, led by Him, and rooted in His ways. That’s the kind of fear that keeps me pursuing Him every day, and Psalm 128 reminds us that this kind of fear leads to a life of blessing.

This chapte lays out what happens when we live in reverence and obedience to God:

• Work Becomes Fruitful – “When you eat the labor of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.” (Psalm 128:2)
  • When we commit our work to God, He blesses our efforts. Instead of toiling in frustration, we experience joy and satisfaction in what we do.
• Family is Blessed – “Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, your children like olive plants all around your table.” (Psalm 128:3)
  • A life built on God’s wisdom overflows into our homes. A husband and wife walking in God’s ways create a household full of love, peace, and stability. Children grow strong and flourish, just as olive trees do when they are well cared for.
• Future Generations Prosper – “Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.” (Psalm 128:4)
  • The fear of the Lord isn’t just for one generation. It creates a foundation of faith that impacts children, grandchildren, and beyond.
• The Community is Strengthened – “The Lord bless you out of Zion, and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life.” (Psalm 128:5)
  • When God blesses an individual, a family, and a home, it extends outward. Strong families make strong communities, and strong communities reflect God’s glory.
• A Life of Peace – “Yes, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel!” (Psalm 128:6)
  • A life of obedience to God results in longevity, legacy, and peace. A life well-lived in the blessing of God.

Fearing the Lord isn’t just about feelings, it’s about action. Here’s how to start:

1. Seek God Daily – Spend time in prayer and Scripture, asking God to guide your steps and decisions. (Psalm 119:105)
2. Obey His Word – Apply biblical wisdom in your work, relationships, and daily life. Obedience to His ways leads to blessing. (James 1:22)
3. Honor Him in Your Home – Speak life over your family, pray for them, and set a godly example. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)
4. Commit Your Work to Him – Whether in a career, ministry, or home life, trust that God will establish the work of your hands. (Colossians 3:23)
5. Be a Blessing to Others – The blessing of God isn’t just for us; it’s meant to overflow to our families, communities, and the world. (Matthew 5:16)

Today I encourage you to see thatPsalm 128 paints a beautiful picture of a life rooted in God, a life where work is meaningful, families are strengthened, communities thrive, and peace abounds. This kind of life is not reserved for a select few but is available to anyone who chooses to fear the Lord and walk in His ways.

Remember that God’s presence is the greatest blessing of all. The more we walk in His ways, the more we experience His presence in our work, our homes, our communities, and our future. If you want to see God’s blessings in your life, start by putting Him first. Seek Him with a heart that longs to know Him more each day. Because when God builds your life, your home, and your future, His blessings don’t just follow you, they flow through you, impacting generations to come.

Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 128

1 Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways.

2 When you eat the labor of your hands, you will be happy, and it will be well with you.

3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, your children like olive plants all around your table.

4 Behold, so will the man be blessed who fears the Lord.

5 The Lord bless you out of Zion, and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life.

6 Yes, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel!