Lent Devotional

Hi! My name is Garrett Hall. I've been married to my wonderful wife, Bri, for almost eight months now; we have two dogs, a 3.5-year-old black lab named Murphy and a 9-month-old golden retriever named Molly. I currently serve as the Adult Ministries Pastor at Fellowship Dallas and have worked at Fellowship for almost four years. Today, let's enjoy a devotional together during this Lent season.

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Psalm 128 reads, "How blessed is every one of the LORD's loyal followers, each one who keeps his commands. You will eat what you worked so hard to grow. You will be blessed and secure. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine in the inner rooms of your house; your children will be like olive branches, as they sit all around your table. Yes indeed, the man who fears the LORD will be blessed in this way. May the LORD bless you from Zion, that you might see Jerusalem prosper all the days of your life, and that you might see your grandchildren. May Israel experience peace." (Psalm 128 NET)

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My immediate reaction to this Psalm is... wow! What a life this would look like; what a joy it would be to live in this reality! My second reaction is... really? The truth in this Scripture seems to point to a reality for the LORD's followers that doesn't always seem to be experienced in fullness... hm. As I scratch my head and ponder the words of this Psalm, I rest on the first verse, which dictates the rest of the passage.

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"How blessed is every one of the LORD's loyal followers, each one who keeps his commands."

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Sit with me in this before considering the rest of the Psalm. As my life becomes more oriented towards the Lord, and my heart aligns more with His commandments, the experience that grows from that root produces the fruit that follows.

• I eat fully of the sustenance of the life that God produces around me.
• I enjoy being blessed and secure in the promises and presence of God.
• I experience a household in which God's love fills, felt more explicitly in the relationship I have with my wife (and if God wills it, future kids).
• I live a life steeped in the peace of Christ that pervades all my days.

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This is a glimpse of what it looks like to put into practice what Jesus called His disciples to do, "But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33 NET)

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This morning, Lord, as we walk through another day in the world you placed us in, would you help us orient our hearts toward your presence and commandments. Lead us in a way that seeks you first and trusts you with the rest. Amen.