Ascend, Week 8, February 23, 2025. Psalm 128. Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, your children like olive plants all around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord. The Lord bless you out of Zion, and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life. Yes, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel! Psalm 129. “Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth,” let Israel now say — “Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth; yet they have not prevailed against me. The plowers plowed on my back; they made their furrows long.” The Lord is righteous; He has cut in pieces the cords of the wicked. Let all those who hate Zion be put to shame and turned back. Let them be as the grass on the housetops, which withers before it grows up, with which the reaper does not fill his hand, nor he who binds sheaves, his arms. Neither let those who pass by them say,
“The blessing of the Lord be upon you; we bless you in the name of the Lord!” Psalm 128:1 Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways. Walking in fear. Grabs the Lord’s attention. (Psalm 33:18) Fountain of life. (Proverbs14:27) Gives vision. (Psalm 25:14) Recognizes His holiness. (Revelation 15:4) Teaches us. (Psalm 34:9-11) Comforts. (103:13) Provides. (Psalm 34:9-11) Brings joy to your life. (Proverbs 28:14) Better than riches. (Proverbs 15:16) Genesis 50:20 As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Exodus 1:21 And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He provided households for them. .Acts 9:31. Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. Psalm 119:1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord! We SEEK and in our SEEKING we find His ways. NTCC CORE Values. Integrity : we honor God by living righteously. Humility : we carry the same attitude as Christ and embody a life of service. God’s blessing is over your work. When you eat the labor of your hands. Psalm 128:2 God’s blessing is over your marriage. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house. Psalm 128:3 Biblical fruitfulness. Good works. (Colossians 1:10) Giving to those in need. (Romans 15:25-28) A Prayer life. (1 Corinthians 14:14-16) Salvation. (1 Corinthians 16:15) Christ-likeness. (Ephesians 5:8-9) Fruits of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23) Living in holiness. (Colossians 1:10) A life of worship. (Hebrews 13:15) God’s blessing is over your family. Your children like olive plants all around your table. Psalm 128:3 Psalm 52:8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. God’s blessing is not contained. The Lord bless you out of Zion…all the days of your life. Psalm 128:5 For God to bless you from Zion means : God’s blessing extends wherever you go. Genesis 27:33-35 I have blessed him—and indeed he shall be blessed. When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father, “Bless me—me also, O my father!” But he said, “Your brother came with deceit and has taken away your blessing.” Psalm 129:2 Yet they have not prevailed against me. God is righteous and will not allow the wicked to triumph over the righteous. Hebrews 12:2 Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Jeremiah 1:19 They will fight against you, But they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you,” says the Lord, “to deliver you.” Endurance is NOT the result of your effort and determination but God’s faithfulness and righteousness. “The person of faith outlasts all the oppressors.” - Eugene Peterson Walk in Fear. Brings blessing Sustains you. Sets you apart.