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How blessed is one who fears the Lord - 11/3/2008 11:43:14 AM
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Liveloved
Posts: 2072
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How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord. . .
This is the first line of Psalm 128. This was my prayer psalm for today. This first line alone provides much food for thought. So I want to hear your thoughts.
1) What is your understanding of 'blessed'? IOW, how has the Lord taught you to understand 'blessed'?
2) What is your understanding of 'fears the Lord'?
Using those thoughts/words, would you write out this line of the psalm in your words.
I'll share my thoughts after others have shared. Thanks! I'm looking forward to hearing what the Lord has taught you.  LL
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RE: How blessed is one who fears the Lord - 11/3/2008 3:08:59 PM
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frankman
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Despite circumstances of this life, be we rich or poor, be we healthy or sick, be we employed or unemployed, be we winners or loosers, happy are those who reverence the LORD and obey Him.
_____________________________
"Is not My word like fire,` declares the LORD, `and like a hammer that breaks a rock in peaces?" Jeremiah 23:29
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RE: How blessed is one who fears the Lord - 11/3/2008 6:20:25 PM
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Liveloved
Posts: 2072
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quote:
ORIGINAL: frankman
Despite circumstances of this life, be we rich or poor, be we healthy or sick, be we employed or unemployed, be we winners or loosers, happy are those who reverence the LORD and obey Him.
Thanks for joining me in thoughts re: this psalm.
I like your use of the word 'happy' for blessed. It is a very true representation of what blessedness is or means. When we live in the state of blessedness, we will be happy.
And 'reverence' for fear of the Lord is good. However, since 'reverence' tends to be one of those words that people throw around (and may have different understandings of just as we do with fear), would you expand on it for me? What does 'reverence' mean in language other than common Bible talk?
Thanks again for pondering with me. LL
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RE: How blessed is one who fears the Lord - 11/3/2008 8:07:54 PM
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Covaan_Meshuga
Posts: 3416
Joined: 6/8/2005
From: a mother who let me live
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Ever since reading your post this morning, I have had a song going through my mind, and I've been singing it:
How blessed are those who dwell in Your house
Continually praising You;
How blessed are those whose faith is in You,
Continually trusting You;
Adonai Elohim is my sword and shield,
Adonai . . . . (can't remember some of the words)
The highways, the highways to Zion . . . .
I can't remember all the words, but the song has continually blessed me today because you brought it to my memory.
I'll answer you later -- I need to get home right now.
_____________________________
Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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RE: How blessed is one who fears the Lord - 11/3/2008 11:42:13 PM
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Liveloved
Posts: 2072
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Covaan_Meshuga
Ever since reading your post this morning, I have had a song going through my mind, and I've been singing it:
How blessed are those who dwell in Your house
Continually praising You;
How blessed are those whose faith is in You,
Continually trusting You;
Adonai Elohim is my sword and shield,
Adonai . . . . (can't remember some of the words)
The highways, the highways to Zion . . . .
I can't remember all the words, but the song has continually blessed me today because you brought it to my memory.
I'll answer you later -- I need to get home right now.
Oh, how beautiful. I can't think of the highways to Zion without immediately thinking of Isaiah 35---
And a highway will be there, a roadway,
And it will be called the Highway of Holiness,
The unclean will not travel on it,
But it will be for him who walks that way,
And fools will not wander on it.
No lion will be there,
Nor will any vicious beast go up on it;
These will not be found there.
But the redeemed will walk there.
And the ransomed of the Lord will return,
And come with joyful shouting to Zion,
With everlasting joy upon their heads,
There will find gladness and joy,
And sorrow and sighing will flee away.
I'm looking forward to your further thoughts. . .
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RE: How blessed is one who fears the Lord - 11/3/2008 11:53:49 PM
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pstrdebi
Posts: 739
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From: So. Oregon, by way of So. Cal.
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Growing up, i was taught to fear a God who was ready to strike me down with a lightening bolt the second I slipped up.
So... this verse has an even more special meaning to me. To fear the Lord... is with a reveent fear... knowing that God is mighty and great and above all. That He holds the keys to life and death, yet knows my simplest needs. He placed the stars and hung the moon and created the earth to tremble through raging storms... yet, He knows every little sparrow.
And to know that He does not wish to strike me down with lightening... but calls me His own...
I am blessed because I know how to fear Him.
_____________________________
"For in Him we live and move and have our being..." Acts 17:28a
http://www.therockfellowship.org
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RE: How blessed is one who fears the Lord - 11/4/2008 9:48:13 AM
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Little_1
Posts: 1588
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Liveloved
How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord. . .
This is the first line of Psalm 128. This was my prayer psalm for today. This first line alone provides much food for thought. So I want to hear your thoughts.
1) What is your understanding of 'blessed'? IOW, how has the Lord taught you to understand 'blessed'?
2) What is your understanding of 'fears the Lord'?
Using those thoughts/words, would you write out this line of the psalm in your words.
I'll share my thoughts after others have shared. Thanks! I'm looking forward to hearing what the Lord has taught you. LL
How spiritually enriched are those who know and have a right understanding and reverance towards God.
_____________________________
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RE: How blessed is one who fears the Lord - 11/4/2008 9:52:34 AM
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mvic
Posts: 1798
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How happy is he who loves and serves the Lord.
_____________________________
Visit http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
My Book My Blog
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RE: How blessed is one who fears the Lord - 11/4/2008 9:56:00 AM
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Little_1
Posts: 1588
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Oops! Just noticed in an earlier post that you want to understand what those of us mean by reverence?
The best way I can describe it is to have a right understanding of God and Who He is and who we are.
_____________________________
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RE: How blessed is one who fears the Lord - 11/4/2008 1:35:02 PM
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Liveloved
Posts: 2072
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Liveloved
How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord. . .
This is the first line of Psalm 128. This was my prayer psalm for today. This first line alone provides much food for thought. So I want to hear your thoughts.
1) What is your understanding of 'blessed'? IOW, how has the Lord taught you to understand 'blessed'?
Blessed has been rendered as 'happy' despite circumstances.
Blessed has been rendered as 'spiritually enriched'.
When I think of 'blessed' I am reminded of Mary when the angel, Gabriel, came to her. His words were, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you." The literal rendering of 'favored one' is richly blessed.
So when I read this psalm, I remind myself that that is the Lord's greeting to me as well.
I am the favored one of God.
The Lord's love and blessing are upon my life.
The Lord is with me.
Now if we remind ourselves of that truth, won't we be HAPPY? No matter what circumstance I am in, as frankman said, doesn't knowing that I am the favored one of God, that His love and blessing are upon me and my life and that He is WITH me make a HUGE difference. Can we possibly need anything else? I think not.
For me I bathe in the luxury of His love when I read and pray these words. And that is where He wants me. And you. And all who know and love Him. Living in the reality, the present, very real reality of Him and His love for us.
2) What is your understanding of 'fears the Lord'?
Fears has been rendered 'reverence' and 'loves and serves' the Lord.
Again I remember Mary. Gabriel announces to her the Lord's plans for her. And her response? "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word." Is there any better description of the fear of the Lord than this?
I was the slave (of sin) who has been set free (by Jesus) and now freely chooses to serve Him as His bondslave. Be it done to me according to your word is knowing, believing and trusting in His will, His purposes for my life as being the very best. That is the reverence, the loving and faithful trust in the One Who made me and knows what is best for me. . . always.
And yes, as pstrdebi shared, some have been given a wrong view of God. Many years ago I wrote a song called God is a Consuming Fire. In that song I spoke of my parent's warnings regarding fire and the use of matches. Fire can be very dangerous. Matches weren't for play. My parent's respected fire so I did as they did say. Fire can destroy but it also can sustain. It was the Lord's fire that melted my hard, cold heart. And the Lord's fire sustains and warms me as I live in His love.
Knowing Him makes all the difference.
Using those thoughts/words, would you write out this line of the psalm in your words.
The one who knows and lives in the reality of the Lord's love and favor, who knows the Lord is with them always, IS happy and desires to live love back to the One who made them and knows what is best for them. They respond to His love by saying yes to Him in all ways and all things.
I'll share my thoughts after others have shared. Thanks! I'm looking forward to hearing what the Lord has taught you. LL
Those are some of my thoughts regarding this verse from Psalm 128. If you have others, please share. I enjoy hearing what others are learning from Him. LL
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RE: How blessed is one who fears the Lord - 11/4/2008 4:34:40 PM
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Walker311
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quote:
How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord.
My way... is the way!
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RE: How blessed is one who fears the Lord - 11/4/2008 8:19:29 PM
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Covaan_Meshuga
Posts: 3416
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From: a mother who let me live
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What is your understanding of 'fears the Lord'?
Fear of the L-rd is not what I understood it to be when I was a child. Like Pstrdebi, I was taught to be fearful of Him in the same way that I feared Mother: I was afraid of Him, and I understood that I had reason to be afraid -- He wasn't a nice Guy!
But today, I see Him differently. I know Him to be different from the god I knew as a child. G-d, who is one with Y'shua is a Consuming Fire and Judge, but I know His Son, and I stand in the shadow of His Son, who is my Friend, my Counselor, my Guide, my Father. I fear displeasing, so I do my human-best not to displease. I reverence, because He is so worthy. I am in awe, because He is so wonderful, so almighty. Bless His Name.
How happy is everyone who reveres YHVH,
Whose life mirrors His
_____________________________
Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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RE: How blessed is one who fears the Lord - 11/4/2008 8:37:55 PM
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delete123
Posts: 991
Joined: 6/1/2005
Status: online
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I know fear of the Lord, but was greatly msinformed as a child. I went to catholic schools most of my life and one time, I never forgot this: I trying to speak to a sister (nun) about my new aoccuring abuse, when she said: Do you see Jesus on the cross suffering for you, do not complain about your life. That brought a silence to my life in which I regret, because I suffered greatly for it.
Along with others, my mother's wrath seemed worse than what God could give or God working through her. Which *all* this was soooo wrong.
The Lord tried to show me when I was 12 y/o His love when I went to a fellowship at another church and the minute someone hugged me, I was gone.
I have had a long journey since then
but know to fear the Lord is a part of Wisdom and to know Jesus is the start of knowledge (As written in Job)
I also learned that No God will not snuff me out because I made a mistake.
Lately He has been teaching me more about His love
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RE: How blessed is one who fears the Lord - 11/4/2008 8:43:49 PM
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Liveloved
Posts: 2072
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quote:
How happy is everyone who reveres YHVH,
Whose life mirrors His
Oooh, I like this. Whose life mirrors His. Since it is His life in me, that is the only way it can be. Thanks for sharing.
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RE: How blessed is one who fears the Lord - 11/4/2008 10:39:49 PM
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prolifepj
Posts: 723
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From: just over yonder
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LIVELOVED - GREAT THREAD!
I love that whole verse, "Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways."
1) Blessed - according to one online dictionary, the word is defined "highly favored or fortunate" - I've gotta agree. To me, blessed is so many things -
I am blessed that I am alive after Drs had sent me home to die.
I am blessed that Jesus loved me even in my lowly state and made provision for me, knowing how often throughout my life I would trample His blood.
I am blessed to have been so honored by God that He would allow me to experience His presence and know that communion with Him that I could not live without.
I am blessed to know that joy unspeakable and full of glory.
While I believe that there are material things that we are blessed with - the house I live being a MAJOR one, to me, I like to think on the eternal blessings when pondering this. - I could go on for a while on this one!!!! 
2) Fear of the Lord - To me, this is recognition of and submission to His holiness. I am not afraid of God in the sense that He is out to 'get' me - I was blessed to have never been taught that! However, in my very small understanding of Him, in as much as I am able I am keenly aware that He is Lord of ALL - He is Jehovah - God Almighty and something about that makes my very being tremble.
My thoughts - Highly favored or fortunate is the man who recognizes and submits to the character and nature of God.
_____________________________
Sho nuff honey chile - Smile, it makes people wonder what you're up to!
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RE: How blessed is one who fears the Lord - 11/4/2008 11:09:32 PM
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Liveloved
Posts: 2072
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quote:
ORIGINAL: prolifepj
LIVELOVED - GREAT THREAD!
I love that whole verse, "Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways."
1) Blessed - according to one online dictionary, the word is defined "highly favored or fortunate" - I've gotta agree. To me, blessed is so many things -
I am blessed that I am alive after Drs had sent me home to die.
I am blessed that Jesus loved me even in my lowly state and made provision for me, knowing how often throughout my life I would trample His blood.
I am blessed to have been so honored by God that He would allow me to experience His presence and know that communion with Him that I could not live without.
I am blessed to know that joy unspeakable and full of glory.
While I believe that there are material things that we are blessed with - the house I live being a MAJOR one, to me, I like to think on the eternal blessings when pondering this. - I could go on for a while on this one!!!!
2) Fear of the Lord - To me, this is recognition of and submission to His holiness. I am not afraid of God in the sense that He is out to 'get' me - I was blessed to have never been taught that! However, in my very small understanding of Him, in as much as I am able I am keenly aware that He is Lord of ALL - He is Jehovah - God Almighty and something about that makes my very being tremble.
My thoughts - Highly favored or fortunate is the man who recognizes and submits to the character and nature of God.
I appreciate hearing your thoughts, prolifep! And I especially like your emphasis on knowing His presence and the communion we are honored to share with Him. Yes, it is one thing to be recognized and called significant by the Master of the Universe. But it is another thing entirely to be one with Him, to share in all He His, and for Him to long for communion with us. That's why I often use the word 'wonderful' because He does cause us to wonder (marvel).
I like the verse you put in your own words as well. You rendered 'fears the Lord' as recognizes and submits to the character and nature of God. This is an important distinction. We have to see/know in order to respond. And His promise is that those who seek Him will find Him. And I consider that a continual seeking and finding. He is too big for us to ever exhaust our knowing.
I also appreciate your alluding to trembling. I was blessed to have a very gentle and godly earthly father. When I knew I'd done something that would displease him, I had that response to him as well. It was not fearing as in being in danger but fearing as I had violated a man who I loved dearly and held in the highest regard. I thank the Lord for giving me such a blessed father to show me Himself in so many ways.
Thanks for joining in the discussion. Bless ya , LL
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