Read Psalm 128:1-6 1Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways! 2You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. 3Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. 4Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord. 5The Lord bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life! 6May you see your children’s children! Peace be upon Israel!
Psalm 128 describes what Eden promised. Fear the Lord, walk in his ways and you will be happy. You will be fruitful and multiply, seeing your children’s children, enjoying the fruits of your labor.
Of course, rather than embrace “be blessed by God,” Adam and Eve held out for “be gods.” Sin’s entry into the world made it so that Psalm 128 is no longer a guaranteed result. Many have feared the Lord and remained poor and alone. Some have lost fortune and family BECAUSE they fear the Lord. Because they follow Christ.
This is why Paul’s prayer at the end of Galatians, echoing the blessing of Psalm 128, no longer connects the fear of God to earthly blessing, or even familial blessings, but to the cross alone.
Galatians 6:14-16. 14But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world…16And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
The cross of Christ is our boast in him. Not the fruit of our labor or the family around our table. Yes, these are still gifts, but not guarantees. For those who are in Christ, only the glory of the cross is guaranteed. Therefore, it alone must become our rule of life. Self-sacrifice. Self-giving. Unconditional love. To live is Christ, to die is gain. This is our blessing. Our happiness. Our peace.
Prayer. Jesus, keep my boast in the cross alone. All else is gift but not eternal life. The cross is my life. Keep teaching this to me as I boast in other blessings. Amen.
To Live is Christ 