A Blessing for Fathers
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Father’s Day 2025 | Psalm 128
✍️ By Pastor Gary Boyd
“Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways.” —Psalm 128:1
Let’s be honest—being a dad isn’t easy. 👨👧👦 It feels like you’ve got responsibilities pulling at you from every direction: work, marriage, parenting, church… and that’s just before lunch on Monday! 😅
The world doesn’t always appreciate the role of a father either. Men are often portrayed as clueless or disengaged, but that’s not what I see. The dads I know care deeply. They want to get it right. They feel the pressure, and they’re trying to hold it all together.
Thankfully, God doesn’t leave us guessing. Psalm 128 gives us a simple yet powerful roadmap. It tells us that if we focus on just two things, the rest of life starts to come into place. 🙌
🚶♂️ A Psalm for the Journey
Psalm 128 is what’s known as a “Song of Ascents.” It was sung by pilgrims making their way up to Jerusalem—literally climbing toward worship. 🏞️
This particular song zooms in on the life of a man—and specifically, a father. It speaks to the very things dads care about: work, family, legacy, purpose. And right from the start, we get the foundation:
1️⃣ Fear the Lord
Let’s get this straight—God’s not asking us to live scared. But He is calling us to live in awe of Him. 🙏
One of my favorite C.S. Lewis moments is when the kids ask about Aslan: “Is he safe?” The response? “No, but he is good.” That’s how it is with God. He’s not someone to be trifled with—but He’s completely trustworthy.
When we recognize who He is, we take our role seriously. We want to get it right—not just for our family’s sake, but because we’re accountable to the One who gave us that family.
2️⃣ Walk in His Ways
This one’s huge. God doesn’t expect perfection—He just wants progress. 👣
Walking with God means staying on the path, even if we trip once in a while. It’s about being intentional, consistent, and humble enough to admit when we’ve wandered off.
Ask yourself:
- Am I growing in my faith compared to when I first became a dad?
- Am I taking steps—even small ones—toward God each day?
If the answer is yes, you’re doing exactly what this Psalm calls you to do. 💪
📍Where God’s Blessings Show Up
When we fear the Lord and walk in His ways, Psalm 128 says blessing follows. Let’s look at some of the specific areas where God promises to show up:
💼 In Our Work
Let’s face it—guys tend to tie their identity to what they do. When someone asks, “Tell me about yourself,” most of us start with our job title. But Psalm 128 isn’t about climbing the corporate ladder—it’s about contentment.
God promises that the man who honors Him will enjoy “the labor of his hands.” That doesn’t mean you’ll strike it rich—but it does mean you’ll find satisfaction, purpose, and balance in your work. That’s a blessing worth having. 🙏
🏡 In Our Homes
This part is beautiful. The Psalm describes a wife as a fruitful vine and children as olive plants around the table. ❤️
- A godly man cherishes his wife. He sees her as a source of joy—not a burden, not a background character, but the heartbeat of the home. 🎉
- A godly home is a place of celebration. Think of the wedding at Cana—when the wine ran out, the party stopped. In the same way, a dad who values and honors his wife brings vitality and warmth to his home.
- And the kids? They’re like olive shoots—slow-growing, high-potential, and worth every bit of investment. 🫒 Be patient. Be present.
Want a simple habit that anchors your family? Eat dinner together. 🍽️ Talk. Laugh. Share a Bible verse or a lesson from your day. That kitchen table might just be your most powerful discipleship tool.
🇺🇸 In Our Country
Psalm 128 had national implications for ancient Israel. While America isn’t under a covenant like Israel was, there’s no denying it—our nation could use more men who fear God and walk His path. 🙏🇺🇸
Even more importantly, as believers, we’re part of a greater Kingdom. When you invest in God’s work—through your church, your family, your witness—you’re building something eternal.
Dads, if you’re looking for something bigger than you, something that will outlast you, look no further than the Kingdom of God. 🕊️
👴 In Our Legacy
It’s amazing how quickly the Psalm jumps from marriage to grandkids in just six verses! Time really does fly. 😅
There’s nothing sweeter than watching your parents or in-laws light up your kids’ world. And one day, Lord willing, we’ll get to do that too. According to God’s Word, that’s part of His blessing—a legacy of faith and love that lives on in the next generation. 🧬
👀 So… What About You?
If you’re a dad, let me ask:
- Do you want to enjoy your work instead of just endure it?
- Do you want a marriage that thrives, not just survives?
- Do you want your kids to grow up anchored in faith?
- Do you want a deeper purpose and a legacy that matters?
Then it all comes back to two simple questions:
- Do you fear God? 🙇♂️
- Are you walking in His ways? 🚶♂️
That’s the foundation. That’s the secret. Not hustle. Not hustle culture. Just simple, steady faithfulness.
❤️ Final Thoughts
We’re all feeling the pressure. God knows that. He’s a Father too. He gets it. And He wants to help. 🧔👶
If you’ll stay close to Him—if you’ll fear Him and follow His lead—He’ll give you the grace to be the man, husband, and father you were made to be.
So, this Father’s Day, take a breath. Look up. And take one more step in the right direction. God’s blessings are waiting. 🌿
