Monday July 17, 2023

Today is Monday, July 17 and we are studying what the Bible says about God’s blessings.

As I begin this time of daily prayer, I pause to be still, slow my breathing and focus my mind on the God of blessing and peace.

Pause and Pray

Blessed and holy Lord, reveal the truth of your blessings for me, awaken me to your steadfast love and remind me of your great faithfulness. I put my complete trust in you as I continue traveling on this pilgrim journey. Amen.

I praise God and rejoice with the words of Psalm 128, a Psalm of Ascent.

Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. Psalm 128:1-2

Pause and Pray

We have been journeying to Jerusalem along with the ancient pilgrims singing the Psalms of Ascent. This week’s Psalm is Psalm 128, a song of blessing. Four times in the Psalm the word “blessed” or “blessing” is used. God is a God who blesses his children and the Biblical witness is one long testimony to God’s blessing of humanity. Psalm 128 summarizes the blessings of a life fully devoted to God beginning with a godly man or woman, extending to the household and family, and ultimately expanding to the community and nation. God’s blessing is promised, pronounced and experienced.

Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the LORD. May the LORD bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. May you live to see your children’s children— peace be on Israel. Psalm 128:1-6

When the psalmist says “blessed are those who fear the Lord” (Psalm 128:1), a better word to aid my understanding rather than “fear,” would be “reverence” or “awe.” God does not desire to frighten me but bring me to a recognition of his awesome power, love and might. When I revere the Lord, recognize his power over my life and trust him with everything in my days, I will be blessed. I cannot help but be blessed, because that is God’s chief desire and aim for me. I am blessed when I stay within God’s limits, obey his commands and follow his rules, because he knows what is best for me.

Ask: How have I experienced God’s blessings in my life? What does it mean for me to “fear” (revere or be in awe of) God?

Pause and Pray

Lord God, you are holy and mighty. I am in awe of your goodness and bow down in reverence. I seek to obey your commands and dedicate my life and work to you. I ask for your blessing on this day. Bless my home and family. I name each of my loved ones and ask for your blessing upon them. Bless today’s upcoming labor, interactions and work of my hands. Multiply all that is good in my life so it may bring you glory. Bless my neighborhood, my city, my state and my nation. I read the words from Psalm 128 again and listen for the message you have for me.

Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the LORD. May the LORD bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. May you live to see your children’s children— peace be on Israel. Psalm 128:1-6

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

As I reflect on this Psalm of Ascent, I consider the many blessings I have in my life. I name the places where God has grown fruit – perhaps in my work or in my relationships. I consider what kinds of prosperity I have enjoyed through God’s blessings. Perhaps material or relational, health or home, family or friendships. What might I consider to be the fruitful vine in my life – bringing continual blessings? Have I appreciated these blessings or taken them for granted? Maybe God wants me to recognize the places where I am disobedient or prideful and caution me. Perhaps God wants to bring peace into my home or community. I listen carefully for what God wants to tell me about my life today.

Pause and Pray

Come, Blessed Lord, and reveal the depths of your blessings in my life. Remind me what it means to follow you in obedience and encourage me to trust you with every aspect of my life. Guide me into places of blessing in my work, my home, my marriage, my family, my church, my community and nation. Amen.

God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

I leave this time of prayer blessed by God and eager to live a life that is a blessing to others.

Amen