Blessed Are Those Who Delight In The Lord
Do you consider yourself a godly person? I’m sure those of us who do want to be blessed by the Lord. Even better than that, God wants to bless us as well.
For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. Psalm 1:6
Let’s take a closer look at the sixth verse of this Psalm before we look at the first five verses. Those who live godly lives are blessed because they walk in the path of righteousness.
The Psalmist referred to the paths he walked during his life. Not only did the Lord watch over those paths, but God lit the way for him.
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105
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The Psalmists remained conscious of the fact that God continually led them. Why am I using the word Psalmist in the plural? Because many people contributed to the collection of Psalms.
- Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. Psalm 5:8
- My steps have stayed on your path; I have not wavered from following you. Psalm 17:5
- You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping. Psalm 18:36
- Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Psalm 25:4
- The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8
While walking on the path of life, King David prayed to the Lord in Psalm 139. We, too, should also pray it often, especially those of us who want to be blessed with eternal life.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23-24
The flip side of verse 6 talks about the fate of the wicked. As we look around, many of those people seem blessed as they enjoy the “good things” of this life.
But unless they turn to the Lord before they go into eternity, their blessings will cease. The Psalmist says the path they’ve walked will lead to destruction.
Blessed Are Those Who Follow Not
Have you noticed that many Christians don’t have joy? All of those who want a life blessed with joy, raise your hand. It comes from the Lord, and verse one tells us how to maintain it.
Interestingly enough that verse begins with a negative so we can experience a positive. A life blessed with joy comes from what we don’t do and those we don’t hang out with.
Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. Psalm 1:1
This verse offers advice that we should consider sound advice. You have the freedom to choose who you want to pal around with. But, your choices will result in either rewards or consequences.
Verses two and three layout for us rewards for making godly decisions. Verse 2 says the godly will enjoy the Word of God, and those who meditate on it will live a blessed life.
But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. Psalm 1:2-3
The Holy Spirit will reveal new understandings to us when we read and meditate on God’s Word. The Spirit of God also helps us to live within the bounds of His Word every day.
Like trees planted along the river, our lives will become rooted deep in the ways of the Lord. But it also says we will prosper in everything we do.
When a Christian Becomes Prosperous
The Hebrew word for prosper in this verse means to push forward. It carries the idea of thriving and succeeding in what you do.
Compare a tree growing beside a running stream with one planted in a dry, parched desert. The one in a dry place has to send its roots searching for a water source.
The one planted by the stream flourishes and produces fruit because of its never-ending source. Just like our delight in God’s Word moves us towards prosperity and spiritual nourishment.
When we look at the next two verses, we see a sharp contrast between the godly and the wicked. However, we often don’t see ungodly people the same way the Lord sees them.
But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly. Psalm 1:4-5
The Bible speaks about how God has blessed Christians while not sugarcoating those who reject Jesus. Verse four compares them (the wicked) to worthless chaff.
When a plant like wheat grows, a thin husk called chaff surrounds each grain. The farmer hits the stocks of grain to knock the chaff off.
Then he tosses handfuls of grain into the air. In the process, the wind blows the chaff away, leaving it lost forever. The Psalmist painted a very vivid picture of what happens to the unsaved.
Word Pictures Painted by Jesus
Jesus also painted some word pictures describing those who will experience condemnation instead of the blessed hope. Check out the following examples.
- Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. Matthew 13:40
- Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. John 15:6
- Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 22:13
- Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 25:30
Let me ask you the following question. Do you want to enjoy the delight of God’s Word and His prosperity? Or would you rather fit in by choosing the way of the world?
Following the counsel of the wicked, sinners, and mockers puts you on the path leading to destruction. In other words, blessed or not blessed, which of those two will you choose?
Lord, we want to walk in the path of the godly. We want to delight in your Word and prosper. We know we will be counted with those you call blessed when we do.
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