Songs of Ascent - Happiness (Psalm 128)

Being blessed starts from God and relationship with him.

Psalm 128

"...the key is staying connected with God “all the days of your life.”

I had the wonderful privilege of doing my nephew’s wedding a couple of Saturdays ago. It was a great celebration of Brad and Lucy’s relationship, love and commitment to one another. After the wedding two young men talked with me on the importance of happiness. Both said that it is a person’s “right” to be happy. I don’t think it is a “right” but rather it is an outflow of a relationship.

Our Songs of Ascent Psalm is 128 which begins:

Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labour, blessing and prosperity will be yours (v1-2)

Being blessed starts from God and relationship with him. Blessed means God’s favour resting upon us to enable, to strengthen, to affirm, to empower, and to know we are his son or daughter. Our “fear of the LORD” is not something that drives us away into hiding, but that which honours, submits and welcomes that gaze of our Father. The fruit of that relationship with the Lord, is happiness, security, joy and identity. Our psalm goes on to highlight relationship in this life, particularly marriage and family. Blessing that flows across generations. But the key is staying connected with God “all the days of your life.”

If you are looking for happiness, to be blessed in this life, then look no further than putting your trust in Christ. Blessedness is not in things, but an eternal friendship with the one who has saved us and calls us to be with him now and always. In the last book of the Bible, we are taught what it is to be blessed.

Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb! (Rev 19:9)

Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. (Rev 20:6)

Don’t look for happiness in what this world offers, but in the security of knowing you are with Jesus through his forgiveness and grace now and always.

God Bless

Pastor Stephen