Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional by Kenton Cheek

19 April 2024

Reading From Psalms 121, 123-125, 128-130

“Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
    who walk in obedience to him.
You will eat the fruit of your labor;
    blessings and prosperity will be yours.
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
    within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
    around your table.
Yes, this will be the blessing
    for the man who fears the Lord.

May the Lord bless you from Zion;
    may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
    all the days of your life.
May you live to see your children’s children—
    peace be on Israel.”

–Psalm 128

     There is great imbalance when it comes to teaching about blessings and prosperity.  On one end of the spectrum there are those who believe that poverty is holy and viewing rich or successful people with suspicion is ingrained in their worldview.  At the other extreme are those who treat God as a vending machine, putting in cash and good deeds expecting material wealth in return.  As with most things in life, extremes are not the way to go.  Truth, balance and moderation are needed.

     The Word of God is the only rule of faith and practice for the children of God.  We desperately need to get back to the Bible.  In all the noise that pollutes our consciousness and causes confusion, I want to know God’s opinion.  His is the one that truly matters.  It is my firm belief that our Heavenly Father wants only good things for His children. 

     If that is true, then why is reality so far from that?  This world is not functioning as God intended.  Humanity began in the paradise of Eden but we also have free will.  Rather than continuing in that Heaven on Earth, mankind spoiled perfection with sin and with it came sickness, poverty, pollution, death, and everything else antithetical to the Lord’s Way.  Does this mean poverty is unholy?  Not necessarily.  But I do know that suffering would not occur if sin was not in the world.  Unfortunately, it is now part of our reality. 

     How miraculous is it that God can bring beauty from ashes?  What the evil one means for our harm, God can turn it around for our good and His glory.  He can do that with hard times if we let Him.  Humility opens the door to surrender.  When we yield to the work of the Holy Spirit, God can shape us into the men and women He has called us to be.  He won’t force us to obey Him.  In His sovereignty and wisdom, He has given us the power to choose.  Whatever the circumstances we find ourselves in, whether the result of our own choices or those of others or outside influences or all the above, it is how we decide to respond to those circumstances that makes all the difference. 

     From Psalm 128, we see a tiny part of how God wants life to be for those who follow Him.  As we read this passage it is vital to keep an eternal perspective.  Some children of God will never see riches, have a spouse or children in this life, but we must have a faith promoting view of these things.  Faith says that there is more to this life than meets the eye and the life we will experience in the New Heaven and the New Earth.  Every child of God experiences spiritual wealth, we become part of the Bride of Christ which is the universal Church, and we are to mentor spiritual children by discipling others.  While this seems like a let down to those longing for marriage or biological children, this present reality pales in comparison with the amazing glory of eternal life.

     We must obey God rather than men and serve Him with proper reverence and respect in order to truly enjoy His blessings.  Is it by our own strength or by His undeserved favor that we enjoy abundance?  The strength and intelligence needed to earn a living and be wise stewards of His resources come from God.  The energy and resources we need to accomplish good deeds come from God.  With proper surrender and godly perspective, we understand that as we yield to Him, He accomplishes His will through us.  By His grace we bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

     In our present reality, there are multitudes of people dwelling in material poverty who are truly grateful for what they do have and enjoy tremendous spiritual wealth.  On the other hand, countless men and women who are outwardly rich in terms of money and possessions are not necessarily happy or content.  Money and its cushy trappings have a way of hiding the internal struggles, pain and spiritual destitution. 

     David was inspired by God to compose this beautiful Psalm that is overflowing with blessing.  If we obey God, we will be blessed.  God promises to provide for all of our needs and later in the New Testament, He tells us that He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms.  His provision, proven time and again throughout the Scriptures and human history, comes in both temporal and spiritual ways.  There is no end to the goodness of God. 

“God, help me to be truly grateful for everything that You have done for me.  Thank You for my wife, my children, my friends, the roof over my head, the food in my belly and the clothing on my back.  I pray that You will show me opportunities to share those blessings with others less fortunate than I.  May I share both material and spiritual riches with Your guidance.  Remind me to count my blessings and be careful to give You all the praise, honor and glory for Your continual interventions in my life.  Give me greater understanding of the economics of Your Kingdom.  Let Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.  Amen.”

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. –Philippians 4:19

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. –III John 2

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. –Luke 6:38

But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.

If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed.

–Deuteronomy 8:18-19