Psalms 128:1-6 (NLT)
1 A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. How joyful are those who fear the LORD—all who follow his ways!
2 You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be!
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine, flourishing within your home. Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees as they sit around your table.
4 That is the LORD’s blessing for those who fear him.
5 May the LORD continually bless you from Zion. May you see Jerusalem prosper as long as you live.
6 May you live to enjoy your grandchildren. May Israel have peace!
What is feared is what drive decisions and determines direction. The condition of our livelihood is a central fear as it can be seen as the source of life’s resources. Maintaining a respectable standard of living and enjoying life’s blessings is naturally seen as the occupation. Schedules and geography are often decided by the fear of a job.
The home is directly associated with livelihood as a deciding force. The condition of the home, the wife, and the precious gifts that we’re responsible for is a powerful concern exerting pressure on what we will do and say.
Our local community and then our nation are in need of health and wealth as well to insure security and financially blessing. How we vote and our involvement in community and national politics is greatly influenced by this fear.
While all very reasonable concerns and responsibilities, if they are set above the most critical determining factor in our plans and choices, each one of them becomes very precarious and unstable. A certain amount of effectiveness can be ascribed to our common sense and diligent effort, but without fear of the One who holds the world in His hands, there can be no true joy in the assurance of outcomes.
When His thoughts and His ways are given precedence over every other driving force they will all be brought under the shadow of His care, protection, and provision. How critical it is to not just give a nod to the things of God, but to acknowledge that the slightest disregard of His input brings into jeopardy every other driving force.