April 06 2024

Saturday April 06

“Happy Are the People…”

Psalm 144:12-15

A Psalm of David.

12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; That our daughters may be as pillars, Sculptured in palace style;

13 That our barns may be full, Supplying all kinds of produce; That our sheep may bring forth thousands And ten thousands in our fields;

14 That our oxen may be well-laden; That there be no breaking in or going out; That there be no outcry in our streets.

15 Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!

Psalm 144 was written by David to remind the people of Israel that there are tremendous benefits and blessing in store for the people who will acknowledge Jehovah God as their God, put Him first in their lives and will honor and obey His Word. This is true of any nation that makes the one and only creator God, the God that they worship, honor and obey! God blessed America because our founding fathers believed this and incorporated the Laws and Word of God in our founding documents and sought His guidance in the building of our nation.

Already in this psalm David proclaims that Jehovah God is his Rock, his lovingkindness, his fortress, his high tower, his shield, and his refuge! That the LORD is the One who brings the people of a nation together in unity (v. 2b). He is amazed that the creator of the universe takes notice of mere man who is but a breath and only lives a short time (vv. 3-4). We should always remember that we have a loving God who cares for us personally (vv. 1-4).

But not only does God love us and takes notice of us, David declared that God is mighty and can rescue and deliver us from our enemies (vv. 5-11). And we should respond like David did and “sing a new song” of praise and worship to the LORD (v. 9).

Now David concludes the psalm confirming that Jehovah God blesses His obedient people abundantly (vv. 12-15).  It is interesting to note that King David never engaged in war just for the sake of conquest of other nations so that he could rule the world. His goal was always to defend the land so the people could live peaceful and profitable lives. That is God’s ordained purpose for human government which is to deal with evil and protect and defend its citizens (Romans 13). That is why we are to pray for our government leaders according to 1 Timothy 2:1-4.

The people of Israel were God's people, and they had a work to accomplish on the earth. God called Abraham to be the father of a nation that would declare to the world that there was only one true Jehovah God and the only way you could know and experience Him is by faith. God’s covenant with Abraham included being blessed as he by faith obeyed God and becoming a blessing to all the nations of the earth. This has been fulfilled by the fact that it was through Israel that we have the full revelation of God in a book called the Bible, and we have a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, Israel had to have children (v. 12), the necessities of life (v. 13), and peace in the land (v. 14) to accomplish God’s plan and purpose for them. All of these blessings were promised to them in God's covenant (Deut. 28:1-14), if the people and their rulers obeyed the laws of the Lord. David mentioned the home and family first, for as goes the home, so goes the nation. He compared the sons to strong growing plants (Psalms 127:3-5; 128:3) and the daughters to beautiful graceful statues that could support buildings. Then he moved to the fields to behold bountiful crops and multiplying flocks and herds. Even the oxen are heavy with young and bearing heavy loads because the fields are so fruitful.

"No breaking in… or no outcry in our streets” (v. 14b), describes a nation that has peace and security in its cities. But the opposite is true if we forsake God!  Instead of happiness and blessings we will have violence, insecurity, and fear in our streets and homes.  

Yes, my friend, "How blessed are the people whose God is the LORD!" For He cares for us personally, delivers us victoriously, and blesses us bountifully. Is He the LORD and God of your life today?

God bless!