READ Psalm 115:9–18. 9 All you Israelites, trust in the LORD—he is their help and shield. 10 House of Aaron, trust in the LORD—he is their help and shield. 11 You who fear him, trust in the LORD—he is their help and shield. 12 The LORD remembers us and will bless us: He will bless his people Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron, 13 he will bless those who fear the LORD—small and great alike. 14 May the LORD cause you to flourish, both you and your children. 15 May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 16 The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to mankind. 17 It is not the dead who praise the LORD, those who go down to the place of silence; 18 it is we who extol the LORD, both now and forevermore. Praise the LORD.
BLESSING. The word “bless” or “blessed” is repeated five times. The word means richness, fullness, multidimensional thriving, and satisfaction. Idols cannot give it. When the psalmist speaks of blessing for “Israel” (verse 12), it reminds us of Jacob (named Israel) who had wrestled all his life to get his father Isaac’s blessing (Genesis 28:1–41). One lonely night in the dark a mysterious figure began to wrestle with him. When Jacob realized this was a manifestation of the Lord himself, he said, “I won’t let you go until you bless me.” We don’t know exactly what God said, but we learn, “Then he blessed him there” (Genesis 32:26–29). Nothing else in life will give you the deep blessing you crave most, but the Lord will do it.
Prayer: Father, your Son Jesus Christ gives me the meaning, value, and security I look for in other things. I ask that you help me to rejoice in him more fully than I do. Break my schemes of earthly joy so I may find my all in Thee.119 Amen.