What could happen…?
Psalm 128
A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.
1 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!
I wept as I read verse 3 of today’s passage. I was filled with a yearning for the wellbeing of my wife – to see her continue to flourish. After the personal blessings that will fall on those who “fear” and “obey” the Lord, the Psalmist makes it clear that the blessing for the man who fears and obeys God is the flourishing of his wife; and next in line is his children.
The Guardian reports that 27 women have died in Australia in 2024 so far due to domestic violence – women who should be flourishing and receiving blessing from God who are no longer with us. In Victoria, over 400,000 people have received support through Orange Door since 2018 – a one-stop support and safety hub for domestic violence victims established as a result of the state’s royal commission on the issue. So many women have been left broken by the men in their lives who should have been the source of love, nurture, care, safety and provision.
My question for us today is what would our society look like if the men of Australia would turn to God – if we fear Him, and love Him, and obey Him without question?
What would our community look like if we sacrifice our desires, plans, our selfishness, our sin, and love our families the way Jesus does the church (see Ephesians 5:25)?
What would the world look like if I lay down my life for my wife, for my daughters – for all women – in love and service and sacrifice like Jesus did on the cross for me, so that all the women in my community can flourish?
“That is the Lord’s blessing for those who fear Him.”
God, please show us how we can love, nurture and protect the women in our lives today. Amen.
Written by B van Noppen