Psalm 128:1-6
A Song of degrees
‘Blessed is every one
that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands:
happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the
sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.”
(Psalm 128:1-3)
When Peter went to Caesarea, in Acts 10:34-35, he had just
learned something. “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God
is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and
worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”
God doesn’t play favorites.
Everyone who follows God’s commands will reap the benefits for having
done so, even those who have little or no knowledge of God. Paul emphasized the same thing in Romans
2:14-15. “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things
contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which
show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing
witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one
another.” They will not be saved as
a result of their works, but they will receive the earthly blessings.
Unfortunately, in the United States, we have been blessed
for so long we accept the blessings as our due and don’t take time to
appreciate them. In many countries, one
is not allowed to enjoy the results of his labor. Socialist governments and thieves take what one
has earned, leaving the worker to survive on what they leave. Happiness, health and peace are blessings
from God that are often overlooked, yet they are a natural result of a good
conscience and following God’s plans.
Finally, the marriage will be a satisfying and enjoyable relationship, producing
children of whom one can be justifiably proud.
“Behold, that thus
shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD. The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and
thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children,
and peace upon Israel.” (Psalm 128:4-6)
These are not things we are entitled to have, but blessings
from God. Most people do not enjoy these
things, because they do not follow God’s plan.
Everyone who fears God can expect to have these blessings, because they obey
him. They can expect to see their
country blessed, and their children and
grandchildren living productive and happy lives, as II Chronicles 7:14 promises. “If
my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and
seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven,
and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” God promises that if his people will
serve him he will bless and take care of their land.
Some say this promise only applies to Israel. In Genesis 18-19, we have the story of the
destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Though Sodom was a huge city in its day, God
said he would spare it if even ten people who lived there would do what was right. As it turned out, even Lot had lost his
testimony and was no longer serving God.
God saved him and his family
because he was a righteous man who believed in God, but he would have saved the
entire city, even if only Lot and his children had served God, according to the
promise to Abraham in Genesis 18:32.
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