The Greatest Blessing

Psalm 128

Verse 5 May the Lord bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.

We have mentioned before that the prosperity that this song is singing about isn’t about riches or the things that make this life wonderful. The psalmist is making sure his point is being made by reminding them of why they are headed to Jerusalem.

Notice that it says that God will bless FROM Zion. Zion was a name that was used in the poetry and prophetic books to speak of Jerusalem. This verse uses it as a reminder to God’s people that He was the reason they were going to a festival in Jerusalem. He had set up a special place where He would meet with His people. The psalmist saying that God was going to bless His people from Jerusalem was pointing to the fact that God was going to bless them with Himself.

When we hear the word blessing what comes to mind? For many of us it may be all the things that God has done for us. He does bless us in so many ways but He isn’t trying to buy our love and He doesn’t pour blessings to reward us for doing whatever we think would make Him happy. If He were to bless us because of what we do it would mean that He is won over though good deeds. It would mean that we have a works based faith. Christianity is not about our works.

A works based religion is one where the person is in charge but being a Christian is a faith of relationship, a relationship where He is in charge. That is the part we often forget. He isn’t rewarding us for good behavior or doing good works in His name, no, His blessing us, is because of Him. It is something that pleases Him to do. He desires to bless those of us that He loves but it isn’t always about blessing us with the things that we think of as a blessing.

Sometimes God doesn’t bless us with the things that we think would be a blessing because He knows those are the very things that will draw us away from Him. He wants us to see Him and understand the blessing of being in relationship with Him. He wants us to know that He is the only blessing we truly need. Shouldn’t we also make sure He is what we want? This is the blessing that will last for eternity.

Making It Personal

How has God blessed you in the past? Do you find yourself hoping for the temporal type of blessings more than the eternal blessing? What does it mean to you that God is your blessing?

Making It Personal Kids

What are some ways that you feel blessed by Jesus? Do you think that Jesus is a better blessing than the things you want? What does it mean to you to know that Jesus is your greatest blessing?

Closing Prayer

Father, thank You for being the ultimate blessing. Help us see what a great treasure You are and give us the wisdom to seek You more than things. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Posted on eastmartincrc.org on July 23, 2022