Blessings Abound in the Fear of the Lord - Pt 1
(Ps 128)

(all quoted Scriptures are from NASB, but most are paraphrased)

Ps 128 Happiness

2b You will be happy and it will be well with you.

Background

 
For the last several weeks we were looking at the theme of work, and how its ability to fulfill is dependant upon the recognition of the Lord in the work we do. We touched upon the results of that work which is done Corum Deo - before His face. In this Psalm, the rewards of our labor are more explicitly presented.

Recognition / Provision / Worship / Servanthood / Help / Security / Joy / Work / Happiness / Perseverance / Hope / Humility / Obedience / Community / Blessing

1 How blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,
Who walks in His ways.

Blessed: happy - How Shall We Find Happiness?

 

In this Psalm, we are given the answer to our search for happiness. The opening verse gives us the answer as to how we can be happy. Two primary requirements are laid out for our happiness, both phrases we have seen often in Scripture. But what do they mean? If they are the keys to our happiness, how shall we gain those keys? It's all well and good to know we ought to fear the LORD, but what does it mean? Let's allow His Word to tell us.

 

1 How blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,
Who walks in His ways.

In the fear of the Lord

 Ge 22:12Abraham showed that he feared the LORD, in that he did not withhold even his son from God.
 Ex 18:21Men who fear God are men of truth and hate covetousness.
 Job 1:1Job was one that feared God. He was upright, and turned away from all evil.
 Job 2:3He still holds fast to his integrity, even when Satan incites him against the LORD, even when he suffers ruin for no just reason.
 Ps 15:2-4 
  
2
He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness,
And speaks truth in his heart.
  
3
He does not slander with his tongue,
Nor does evil to his neighbor,
Nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
  
4
In whose eyes a reprobate is despised,
But who honors those who fear the LORD;
He swears to his own hurt, and does not change;
 Ps 22:23They praise the LORD.
 Ps 22:25They pay their vows.
 Ps 25:12-14 
  
12
Who is the man who fears the LORD?
He will instruct him in the way he should choose.
  
13
His soul will abide in prosperity,
And his descendants will inherit the land.
  
14
The secret of the LORD is for those who fear Him,
And He will make them know His covenant.
 Ps 31:19They are public about their trust in God, and God has stored up His goodness for them.
 Ps 60:4They declare His truth publicly.
 Ps 115:11They trust Him as their help and shield.
 Ps 119:74They are glad to know others that wait for His word.
 Ps 119:79and to hear testimonies of Him.
 Ps 135:20They bless the LORD.
 Ps 147:11They wait for His lovingkindness.
 Pr 31:30They trust not in beauty and charm.
 Is 50:10They obey the voice of His servant, they rely on God.
 

Walking in His Ways

  Similarly, we all know we ought to walk in His ways, but how? How shall we know His ways? And harder still, even if we know them, how shall we ever succeed in walking in them? Again, God is merciful and kind, giving us in His Word abundant declaration of the what, and declaring and providing for the how as well.
 Dt 8:6Therefore, you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him.
 Dt 10:12Love Him, and serve Him wholeheartedly.
 Dt 11:22Hold fast to Him.
 Dt 26:17Keep His commandments, and listen to Him.
 1Ki 3:14Like David.
 1Ki 8:61Devoted to the LORD.
 Ps 119:3They do no unrighteousness.
 Is 2:3They seek to learn of Him, so that they can walk in His ways.
 Eze 20:13They will not profane His Sabbaths.
 Eze 20:19Those Sabbaths are to stand as a sign between us and the LORD, that we won't forget He is our God.
 Eze 37:24They have one Shepherd.
 Ro 6:4They have buried their old ways through baptism, and have been raised along with Christ to walk in a new life - a fundamentally different life.
 Eph 2:10They do those good works that God has prepared especially for them.
 Eph 4:1-2They walk in humility, gentleness, patience and love, as becomes one called of the LORD.
 Eph 5:2They love as Christ loved, giving their all.
 Col 1:10They seek to please God in all they do, and to increase their knowledge of Him.
 Col 2:6Having received Christ, they follow His ways, His example.
 

But, no man can keep the Law!

 Eze 11:20Unless He had given us hearts of flesh, we could not walk in His statutes. Having done so, HE declares Himself our God, and us His people.
 Eze 36:27He puts His Spirit within us so that we can observe His law.
 Hos 14:9The wise and understanding among men know that the LORD's ways are right, and live their lives accordingly.
 Ro 8:4We are enabled to keep the commandments, because we walk according to the Spirit now, no longer following the lusts of our flesh.
 Is 30:19-22 
  19 O people in Zion, inhabitant in Jerusalem, you will weep no longer. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you. 20 Although the Lord has given you bread of privation and water of oppression, He, your Teacher will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher. 21 And your ears will hear a word behind you, "This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the right or to the left. 22 And you will defile your graven images, overlaid with silver, and your molten images plated with gold. You will scatter them as an impure thing; and say to them, "Be gone!"

  

©2001 - Jeffrey A. Wilcox