August 8, 2017

WALK, DON'T RUN!

Psalm 128

Micah Leiss
Tuesday's Devo

August 8, 2017

Tuesday's Devo

August 8, 2017

Central Truth

There is joy in obedience to the Lord. Out of reverence for Him and through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can die to our desires and delight in His. When we follow His ways, we experience true rest. Submitting to God is the path to blessings forevermore!

Key Verse | Psalm 128:1

Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
who walks in his ways!
(Psalm 128:1)

Psalm 128

Blessed Is Everyone Who Fears the LORD

A Song of Ascents.

Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,
    who walks in his ways!
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
    you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
    within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
    around your table.
Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
    who fears the LORD.

The LORD bless you from Zion!
    May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
    all the days of your life!
May you see your children's children!
    Peace be upon Israel!

Dive Deeper | Psalm 128

In my favorite movie Forrest Gump, Forrest just “feels like running,” and before he knows it, he runs for three years, two months, 14 days, and 16 hours. During this scene, Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way” plays in the background, and, little by little, Forrest runs clear across the country.

I really relate to Forrest. I often go my own way. Little by little, I yield to my desires, only to end up on a road that is nowhere near good for my heart. Instead of fearing the Lord, I fear man and desperately desire approval of others. Instead of walking in His ways, I run in the other direction and follow feelings that gratify my flesh. I know what is right, but I choose to go left; I know what brings a blessed life, yet I walk in unbelief of God’s promises.

Thank goodness God is faithful when I am faithless! In His patience, He constantly shows me that obedience to Him brings abundant joy. At times, obedience is devastating. When God asks us to die to our plans and desires, looking like Jesus hurts! But for those in Christ, there’s hope. No matter how painful, we can trust Him; as we follow Him, our desires become His. We can rest knowing that He glorifies those who delight in His ways.

In Mark 14:36, Jesus pleads with the Father about Jesus' approaching death, saying, “Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Here we see Jesus die to His flesh, follow the Father's will, and, as a result, sit at the right hand of God. What a blessing! As believers, we are given power through the Holy Spirit to follow this incredible example. When we do, the Lord blesses us—not because of what we do, but because of who He is!

When Forrest finishes his run, he says, “I’m pretty tired. I think I’ll go home now.”  When we stop running away and instead walk in His ways, we will find true rest. It shall be well with us, and we will be blessed! (verse 2).

Discussion Questions

1. What is something you fear (are in awe of, trust in, worship) above the Lord? What lie may you be believing when you trust in this instead of the Lord?

2. Think of a time when you gave into sin and followed your flesh. What were the consequences of this action?

3. Have you ever given up a desire in order to follow the Lord? How did your obedience bear fruit and/or bring blessings to your life?

4. The Lord blesses us because of who He is, not because of what we do. Have you found rest in His gracious character, or are you relying on your own efforts to earn His love and favor?

5. Write down five blessings on a note card and put it somewhere you will see it every day. Thank the Lord for these things often. God is glorified when we are grateful!