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Day 149 Psalm 128 Psalm 128:1 < Blessed is every one that fears the LORD; that walks in his ways. 2 For thou shalt eat the labor of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. 3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. 4 Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that fears the LORD. 5 The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. 6 Yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children, and peace upon Israel. Every once in a while, you see someone who is always happy, always wearing a smile, always has something good to say to people and is never cross or angry no matter what the circumstance in their life. I often find those same people tend to look a lot younger than their true age. What is their secret? The psalmist showed that those who fear or respect God would find blessings on their lives. They would have plenty to eat, children around their table, and would see the good of Jerusalem all the days of their lives. Not only would they have physical blessings, but they would live long lives and see their grandchildren and peace in Israel. For the psalmist to proclaim such a statement, was not an easy feat as the nation was in exile. Yet, God impressed upon him that all those who feared or respected him, would see only good and blessing in their lives, and they would see Jerusalem again. God told the prophet Jeremiah that Judah would be in bondage 70 years. The psalmist was familiar with the prophesies of Jeremiah before they went into exile and though the normal lifespan for that time was less than 70 years, God impressed on him that there would be people of Judah who not only went into exile, but would return and see Jerusalem again. Jeremiah 29:10 For thus says the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. Ezra 3:10 And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel. 11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endures forever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. 12 But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: 13 So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off. Before you accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord, you were in bondage to Satan. You didn’t know any other kind of life, yet you longed for something other than the life you lived. You knew instinctively there was more to life than what you were experiencing. Yet you did not know how to grasp it until someone showed you the answer. As Christians, we know the secret to a long and fulfilled life is found in the promises God gave his people, and that includes all those who accept Jesus, God’s Son, as Savior and Lord. God promised to prosper us and our children. We have our doubts at times when we see their waywardness, yet we hold onto the promises that what God said, he would also do. Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (KJV) The important phrase in that scripture is ‘and they house.’ God promised us that if we believe, our children will too. We need to believe God would keep his promise to us and save our children as well. God impressed the psalmist with the fact they would return home, and many who went into exile, would also return to see the glory of Jerusalem and the new temple. As Christians, we will know true joy when we see New Jerusalem coming down from heaven. We will see the temple just as Moses saw it on Mount Sinai, and just as Solomon built it, and we too will weep for joy when we see it. We will weep because we know God keeps his promises. Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. (KJV) Does Satan hold you in bondage? You can be free of your exile by accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord, and you too will see the promises of God fulfilled in your life. Let’s pray: Father, your promises are faithful and true. You rescued me from Satan’s hold on me and brought me out of bondage and into the eternal joy of knowing salvation through the death and resurrection of your son. Help me stand on your promises for my family and friends, so they too will be free from Satan’s hold on them. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 15 August 2016 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay