Psalm 128 - When I Need to Cultivate Fear of the Lord
Summer in the Psalms
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What does it mean to fear the Lord? Once we understand this, how do we cultivate fear of the Lord in our hearts so we live in fear of the Lord? Why is this so important?
My friend, Alexandra Jensen, helps us comb through these questions as she shares her reflection of Psalm 128 with us. She points out many of the beautiful promises of God which are given to us as we live surrendered and in fear of the Lord.
Alexandra and her family attend Battlecreek Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She is a leader of her local MomCo. community. Alexandra holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a Minor in Creative Writing and a Master’s degree in Math and Science Education. She is a former Elementary school teacher. Alexandra is a wife, stay-at-home mother of three, blogger, speaker, and antiques dealer. Alexandra enjoys going on dates with her husband, late-night book club meetings, and quilting. You can connect with her at www.alexandrajensen.org or on Instagram or Facebook.
When my kids climbed the fence once again and ventured into our neighbor’s yard, I knew we would have to have a major discussion. “When you climb the fence, mommy and daddy don’t know where you are and it is not safe,” I explained. How often do I, too, cross boundaries in life that God has in place for my safety and wellbeing? Psalm 128 explains how those who fear the Lord and walk in His ways will receive favor and prosperity all the days of their lives.
What is “The Fear of the Lord?” It is to flee from evil and obey His commands. It is asking the question, “God what do you think about this?” in all things. It is putting God first, others second, and yourself third. It is listening and heeding God’s Word before the ways of the world, and even the desires of your heart.
Fearing the Lord means pursuing Christ in prayer before seeking the advice or validation of others. It means considering the question, “What would Jesus do?” in all facets of life. When we fear God and walk in His ways, in stride with the Holy Spirit, we live a life of abundance and according to Psalm 128, we will be blessed.
Psalm 128 radiates promise and exudes hope. When we walk near to God daily, we will be rewarded with fruit growing in our lives. A fruitful life is the mark of a Christ follower (Matthew 7:16). When we are connected to the vine, which is life in Christ, we bear good fruit. Apart from Christ, we can do nothing (John 15:5). But in Christ, we can do all things (Philippians 4:13).
Life on earth can be disappointing, even for those who walk closely with the Lord. In this world we will face trouble, but the good news is that Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33). He will never leave us without hope, without His love, without His Holy Presence, without His promise of blessings to come, or without His peace. Living for God is always worth it, even when we don’t see immediate results or reap instantaneous rewards. Because God is with us, there is always hope.
The last verse of Psalm 128, verse 6 proclaims,
May you see your children’s children! Peace be upon Israel. - Psalm 128:6
Because we are God’s children, grafted into the Kingdom of Heaven through Christ’s blood, we too are beneficiaries of God’s promise of peace upon Israel.
Peace is something we all long for but often feel is lacking. But through Jesus, peace can be ours even through the tumultuous waters of life. We are God’s people and He wants us to lean into our desperate desire to know Him more fully, walk with Him more closely, and depend on Him completely. Jesus is always with us even when life feels incredibly hard. He wants to provide for our every need, to comfort us, and hold us through life’s storms. But we have to lean into Him instead of pulling away.
Envelope your heart in Christ and trust in Him alone to provide for your every need. The more you seek Him, the more you will find Him. The more you find Him, the closer you are drawn into His warm embrace. There’s no better place to be.
Jeremiah 29:11, (another promise to Israel,) says,
For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11
Psalm 128 gives us a similar promise of hope. Jeremiah 29, verses 12-13 offer continued assurance:
Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. - Jeremiah 29:12-13
These verses summate what it means to fear the Lord: seeking God with all our hearts.
When we seek the Lord, we will find Him—this is a God-given promise. Let’s live out our days loving the Lord with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength. Let’s seek Him first in all things. Because when we do, He blesses us with everything: safety, provision, favor, prosperity, joy, family, and peace that lasts through the ever-changing seasons of life.
Now, It's Your Turn!
I challenge you to take a moment to pray, then read or listen to Psalm 128 today. Think about what stands out to you. Consider writing down a statement of faith. It may help to think of this as an I-statement. Maybe yours is similar to Alexandra's:
When I seek the Lord, I will find Him.
Then, jot down a question to think about today. Maybe yours is similar to Alexandra's:
Does the way I'm living today reflect fear of the Lord in my heart? Am I seeking God with all of my heart; is He first in all things today?
May this reflection lead our hearts to gratitude and praise today and may we stand in victory against the tactics and schemes of the enemy.
And praise God for refreshment as we are intentional to spend a summer in the Psalms together, for if we want His truth to ever be on our lips, it must first be planted in our hearts.
Our strength grows as we rely on strength from above. Our joy grows as we see God transforming us from the inside out. Our peace grows as we spend time in God's presence, and we find rest when we intentionally seek the Lord first in our lives, for the Lord is ever our portion.
The good life, well it starts with a good day. Then another. Then another. Let's choose to live #TheGoodDay one day at a time.
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