The Wide-Ranging Blessings of Fearing God

REFERENCE: Psalms 128:3-4 Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine, flourishing within your home. Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees as they sit around your table. 4 That is the Lord’s blessing for those who fear him.

Observation: It costs something to fear God and live by His precepts. It violates our sense of living life for ourselves and making decisions by our own dictates. It is hard, at times, to deny ourselves and say no to sinful activities that seem so attractive at the moment. It is easy to let the flesh take over and erupt in anger or withdraw into our own selfish concerns.

Yet, we need to look at the other side. What is the result of making the decision to follow Christ and do what God tells us to? Our spouses will flourish and our kids will grow up healthy and well. That is a reward worth seeking.

Being a parent is an awesome responsibility. We all want our kids to turn out well. One thing that will work mightily against that hope is being a poor example ourselves. As the old saying goes; "a child learns what they live." If we live by our base desires, those very impulses may weaken and destroy our family. If we, instead, are an example of fearing and following God, so will they and they will be strong and their lives blessed.

Application/Confession: I read this verse last year and it struck me so hard because the whole family had very recently been "around the table" celebrating my birthday. I am so proud of each member of my family. I know that I have been far from a perfect dad and certainly far from a perfect follower of Christ, but I have lived my life in the fear of God and I can see the results.

I have three adult children who are so faithful and successful. I have two smaller ones who bring so much happiness into our lives. I know that their lives are a blessing from God for fearing Him. It was often hard to make the right choices, but now I can see the results and they are good.

PRAYER: Help me to remember, Lord, that my kids will reap the fruit of my decisions. If I sow to the flesh they, as well as I, will reap the negative results. If I sow to the spirit, they, and I will be blessed. Please remind me of that when I face temptation.