all who follow his ways!
You will enjoy the fruit of your labor.
How joyful and prosperous you will be!
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.
That is the Lord’s blessing
for those who fear him.
- Psalm 128:1-4
This world can occupy our minds of many things: worries about bills, money, debts or goals we set to achieve our dreams, plans for business, people who have affected us, the list is endless. But there's only one thought that gives relief to the human soul. Thoughts centered around GOD keep us focused on living the right way. What does GOD think of my plans? Does this please GOD? Will GOD bless my endeavour? Thoughts that revolve around GOD are the only thoughts that keep us in the right track. Fearing GOD means always involving HIM in every moment of our lives. It's not being afraid of being punished by GOD, it is being aware of HIS omni presence, knowing that regardless of how we think of HIM, HE is there watching every little thing we do, think and say, rewarding or punishing us for what we deserve.
King David says that those who fear GOD have the greatest joys, those who seek to follow HIM are more than happy. Happiness is a thing that is temporary because happiness is dependent on our circumstance. Like if we have something we have been wishing for, we are happy. If we get what we want we are happy, when we are being promoted at work, when we buy something we love, this gives us happiness. But joy is something that is more stable and permanent because it is not dependent on circumstance or things. Joy is being happy even in suffering. Yes, joy seems like a crazy thing but it is the thing that is what you would rather have than any short lived happiness. Fearing GOD also enables you to live a life of satisfaction and success. Why? Because GOD blesses those who fear him by not just making them successful or prosperous but HE enables them to enjoy their hard work. There are lots of rich people in this world, yes they have all the money but they can't enjoy their wealth because they are sick, they have family troubles or they are just unsatisfied no matter how much money they have. Therefore satisfaction is a gift only GOD can give. There are only things money can buy. But everyone knows money cannot buy happiness or satisfaction. Only GOD can truly give satisfaction to our hearts delight. God fearing men not only receive riches, wealth and the health to enjoy their hard earned money. God also provides these faithful men with wives that flourish in their homes, wives that are happy are flourishing, ever beautiful as they get older. God gives them children that are as vigorous as tress, obedient and loving children that are not rebellious but children that love to spend time with their fathers that's why they are in the dinner table eating with them. With all these promises that GOD gives to a Man, who wouldn't want to live a life that fears and loves GOD? Fearing GOD is not to be afraid, it is to have the highest respect in the world for a Most High Being who has the power to take or give.
