March 5 , 2007

Text: Psalm 128

BLESSINGS OF THE LORD
1. Promised by the Lord

2. Desired by all

3. Special blessing promised to those who "fear the Lord"
"Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways"    Psalm 128:1

a) The promise of blessing is to "everyone"

b) There is a qualification that must be heeded
"Everyone who fears the LORD"    Psalm 128:1

c) Further qualification
He who fears the Lord is also one "who walks in His ways"    Psalm 128:1

DESCRIPTION OF THE BLESSINGS PROMISED
"Behold, this shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD"    Psalm 128:4

1. Enjoyment of the fruit of our labour
"When you eat the labour of your hands"    Psalm 128:2a

2. Happiness
"You shall be happy..."    Psalm 128:2b

3. Wellness
"It shall be well with you"    Psalm 128:2c

4. Extension to Family
a) Wife
"Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house"    Psalm 128:3a

b) Children
"Your children like olive plants all around your table"    Psalm 128:3b

PRONOUNCEMENT OF BLESSING
"The LORD bless you out of Zion,
And may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life"    Psalm 128:5

1. Source of blessing
a) From the Lord

b) From Zion (Jerusalem)

2. Special Content of blessing
a) With reference to Jerusalem

b) To be able to see the good of Jerusalem throughout life

c) To see peace in Jerusalem
"Peace be upon Jerusalem"    Psalm 128:6b

d) Long Life
"Yes, may you see your children's children"    Psalm 128:6a

CHALLENGE TO CULTIVATE THE FEAR OF THE LORD

1. Fear of the Lord and Wisdom
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction"    Proverbs 1:7

a) Warning against despising of wisdom and instruction

b) Encouragement to cultivate the fear of the Lord through seeking wisdom

2. The search for wisdom and the fear of the Lord    Proverbs 2:1-5
a) Kind of effort to seek after wisdom well described
    i) To treasure God's word
    ii) To heed it as His commandments
    iii) To apply heart and mind to search for wisdom
    iv) To make every effort to discover wisdom
    v) To seek wisdom as one would hidden treasures

b) The fear of the Lord would then be obtained after the efforts mentioned above are fulfilled