Happy Is The One

Yesterday during my devotion time, I read Psalm 128, one of the songs of ascents (which Jews would read while climbing the stairs to the temple in Jerusalem). This psalm is a beautiful encouragement to everyone, especially men, so I wanted to share it with our husbands-to-be. It says:

¹ Happy is everyone who fears the Lord,
    who walks in his ways.
² You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
    you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you.

³ Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
    within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
    around your table.
⁴ Thus shall the man be blessed
    who fears the Lord.
⁵ The Lord bless you from Zion.
    May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
    all the days of your life.
⁶ May you see your children’s children.
    Peace be upon Israel!

 When you read these verses, it's pretty clear what the key to happiness is for everyone ... fearing the Lord. Please understand that doesn't mean, "Eek! It's God! RUN!" in the scary fear sense. It means to completely respect. You know how when you were children and you feared disobeying your parents? It's that kind of fear. You are to be righteous enough to be obedient to Him. The phrase after that above explains how ... "who walks in His ways."

And look at what the psalmist says will be the reward! You will be happy, successful in your work, have a wife that compliments you and does good for the Kingdom, have the blessing of children, be blessed, live long and prosper (yeah, it looks like the Star Trek reference came from here). Know that this is not a endorsement for the prosperity gospel, where people believe if you are obedient to God you will be financially successful in life. There are plenty of folks who love the Lord who struggle in poverty. Matthew 5:45 says of God, "He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous." Good and bad will happen to everyone. But the eternal consequences of not obeying our Father are far worse. Christ promises us that we will have an abundant life in Him (John 10:10), but that is abundance in the Godly sense. Don't forget how much value there is in the spiritual rewards of a life of faith. Growing God's Kingdom is the best we can do. And being obedient to Him is the place to start.

So strive for righteousness in your life. It is our hope that in doing so, you will be blessed with all that is sung about in the above psalm. And how are we to be obedient? "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind," (Deuteronomy 6:5. Matthew 22:37) and "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 22:39). Christ tells us every other law in Scripture hinges on these two commands (Matthew 22:40). There is no greater advice we can give you with regards to your life and your marriage.

Discussion: How difficult is it to be obedient to the Lord? What benefits have you seen to being obedient to Him? How does that obedience make you more successful, a better husband, good father and blessed?

Prayer: Lord God, may we remember to always fear you, love you and be obedient to you. You are our portion, Father, and it is more than enough. May our lives be lived in glory to you. In Christ, we pray, Amen.