The very first Psalm of the book of Psalms contains a recipe for success! It is a key that will open the door to the blessing, when you do what it says. You might wonder, well, I believe in God, I am a Christian, so I know I am blessed. Yes, but are you experiencing the blessed life God wants you to have? If you are ignorant of any of the principles contained in Psalm 1, you are blessed in being saved, but you may not be experiencing God’s best for your life.
The first verse of Psalm 1 tells us three things NOT to do in order to be blessed:
Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
1. First We are not to walk in, or follow, the counsel of ungodly men. For example, someone might advise you to make a certain entry on your tax return to get a better return, but it is a deceptive move and ungodly counsel. A student may be advised by another student to purchase a term paper rather than write it to submit to the teacher.
2. Second, the psalmist says that we are not to stand in the way of sinners. Get out of their way! Way, in this case, may mean their habits, customs, etc. So, today’s style may be low cleavage and skin-tight attire. If you are not standing in the way of sinners, you will not adopt their customs and styles. You want to be entertained, but don’t sit in a R-rated movie where God’s name is blasphemed and curses pour forth like water! Get out of their way!
3. The third thing we are not to do is to sit in the seat of those who scorn and mock God. Those who laugh at the things of God and his existence and we he requires. Have you been at work and found yourself around the water cooler, joining in the laughter and jokes that you knew were absolutely inappropriate? Today, another example would be on an online forum. If the jokes etc. are mocking God and what he stands for, don’t join in, unless you bring a perspective that is being light and salt.
As you can see, verse 1 is power-packed and the requirements are high. God has said we must be holy, because he is holy. To experience the blessing of God, it is going to cost you something. Salvation cost Jesus his life. The blessing is going to cost YOU something. You will have to make some hard choices, you will have to let some things go, you will have to lose some friends, you will have to walk away when you might want to join in. But remember, what is at state – God’s Blessing!
The second verse is the second requirement for the blessing:
Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
We must delight in the word of God and meditate upon his word day and night. Why? Because in doing so, we will get to know God. We will learn who he is, and we will learn how we should relate to him. We will learn about our adversary and how to walk in victory. God’s word is our key to success and victory over all the wiles and strategies of Satan. We learn about ourselves because God’s word is a mirror that reveals are flaws. God gives us the instructions on how to make correction so when we look again, that flaw is no longer there.
Meditating on the word of God day and night does not mean you constantly have your eyes on the pages of scripture. Rather, you are thinking of his word and what God says all the time. But, obviously, first you have to spend time in the word. Make reading the word of God, the Bible, a daily habit. Read a little of both the New and Old Testaments. You might also enjoy reading a few Psalms and Proverbs as well.
The next verse tells of the benefit of doing what verses 1 and 2 prescribe.
Psalm 1:3 nd he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
As you can see, the person who is obedient to the direction in verses 1 and 2 will be well watered and never suffer drought, will be evergreen, flourishing and fruitful. That is a picture of abundant blessing!
If you have never studied Psalm 1, do so today and purpose to do what it says so that you can experience more and more of God’s blessing in your life. We often equate blessing with just finances, and while that obviously is a part of being blessed, that is not all of what blessing encompasses. Ask anyone with money who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness which blessing they would prefer – health or riches? We desire God’s blessing on our families, the blessing of wisdom and knowledge, blessing of peace and tranquility and more.
If you do not know the Lord, that is the first step to being blessed! Read:
Lovely well thoughtout and researched post.
The blessings cost. They do cost mightily as you have outlined here. There is great sacrifice as well. Yet we have not suffered as Christ did. Your #3 rings true for we have even family members who scoff at God. The teaching you put forth here, is so important to follow. When we first come to Christ we think all shall come up rosey but we suffer for our faith, if we are truly walking in it. But thank God, and glory be to Him, he gives us his unspeakable joy through it all.
I like your title, Bloomagain. How earnest are we for Gods blessings, how deperate are we to be blessed?
To be blessed has a lot of requirements as the bible also said that everyone has fall short. Still it is of our decisions and choices to follow HIM and obey HIS rules in return we will be blessed.
hmm … keep share
Very interesting article!