Psalm 128 ~ a fruitful vine within your house

Psalm 128

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio

Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
who walks in his ways!
² You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

³ Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.
⁴ Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
who fears the Lord.

⁵ The Lord bless you from Zion!
May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life!
⁶ May you see your children's children!
Peace be upon Israel!

My brother was telling me about his childhood birthdays recently. He looked back and said his happiest birthdays were in Emporium, Pennsylvania about four decades ago. I was surprised, because I felt so too (until recently). Maybe we all do. For my family, it was because we were still a family unit and those were the days we could count on ourselves and we felt we were good people and good to the people around us. Days of works and not grace. Easier!

Then you have another birthday and if you are fortunate to have the time - you think about all the people you've known over the years. For a person who's lived in 2 bedroom/2 bath home for 14 years raising two precious boys, a showcase home, a French house with solid glass windows on a French mountain overlooking the Mediterranean. That is a whole lot of change. We've known Princess Grace and her family through an employee at "the Castle." (Really, we have the photos to look at.) My mom worked with a Texas famous millionaire for 30 years. And surprisingly enough had an unknown teacher, who they tell me, went on to be famous.

So. If you put all these people together that I've met. From the wonderful little town where we loved and were loved, to the huge University I went to and the hometown where we are now with a gracious and loving Church family. If we took all these people - whom God knows them from their flaws to their virtues. And back again. And to the numbers of hairs on their head. What would they have in common?

We all want someone to genuinely care for us.

Romans 12:9
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

This is what really calls us the the LORD. Abba. Father God.

1 John 4:19
We love because he first loved us.

1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Nehemiah 8:10
¹⁰ Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”


2 Samuel 6:14a
And David danced before the LORD with all his might.



+

On Prayer and Trust - good times and times looking for improvement -
Luke 11:1-28 ~ answer from within (The Lord's Prayer)


<><