MESSAGE TO FATHERS FROM PSALM 128
Psalm 128 contains a special message to fathers. I'd like you to notice five wonderful truths to help you put music in your home.
"God has ordained 3 great institutions here on this earth: The home, the government, the church. The oldest, and greatest of these institutions is the home. "As the home goes, so goes the church, as the church goes, so goes the nation." v. 1 "Blessed" means to be congratulated. If you do the things in the following verses, you should be commended, congratulated. In the original language it’s plural...it actually says it twice! Blessed, blessed is the man! That’s double joy! But if you don’t do what this Psalm says, it will be double trouble!
Father and His CHARACTER.
He must LIVE a god-fearing life.
Psalm 128:1- "Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him."
Great Fathers have a faithful walk with the Lord. A good dad fears God and as a result, he shows it by the way that he lives.
Father and His CONTENTMENT.
He must LEARN contentment.
Psalm 128:2 - “You will eat the fruit of your labour; blessings and prosperity will be yours.”
Great fathers understand the importance of a proper work ethic. Problem with many fathers is that they are not content. There's never enough. They are never satisfied to just simply come home and be happy with their families. They're busy earning a living and forgetting to live. Work hard but don’t be a workaholic. Be content with your wages. Luke 3:14; Hebrews 13:5; 1 Tim. 6:6. Contentment is a continual feast. Proverbs 15:15!
Father and His COMPANION.
He must LOVE his wife
Psalm 128:3- "Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house."
Great fathers understand the importance of being a great husband. A father's companion is his faithful wife, because she clings to him like a vine clings to a wall. And a husband is to be to his wife what a wall is to a vine — her support and strength. 'The best thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.'
Father and His CHILDREN.
He must LEAD his children.
Psalm 128:3 says, "Your children will be like olive shoots around your table."
Great Fathers understand the value of their Children. The olive is a biblical symbol of fruitfulness and righteousness. An olive tree, if it is well established, can provide fruit for twenty generations.
You are to cultivate them! Wise is the Dad that understands that it is his duty and privilege to cultivate his children and meet their needs.
Father and His CONTRIBUTION .
He must LEAVE a contribution.
Psalm 128:4-6: "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."
The greatest legacy we pass on as fathers is not our inheritance of material possessions. It is the spiritual heritage that we give to our children, desiring them to walk in the way of the Lord.
