Blessed is the Man

Psalm 1:1-3 - Blessed is the man 

Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, 

Nor stands in the path of sinners, 

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, 

And in His law he meditates day and night. 

He shall be like a tree 

Planted by the rivers of water, 

That brings forth its fruit in its season, 

Whose leaf also shall not wither; 

And whatever he does shall prosper.

After our last Bible Study Fellowship gathering Wednesday, we were asked what we would study during the summer months. I have decided the Psalms. 

The first Psalm says it all. It's short. Read it in its entirety. Blessed is anyone who reads the Word, knows the basics of the Word, meditates on it and obeys it. We won't understand everything, but the basics are pretty understandable!

I had lunch with a friend yesterday. We got to talking about the state of the world and how despite all we see happening we have a sense of peace. We know, from the Word, these things must take place before Jesus returns. (Matthew 24) Ten years ago, even less, could we have imagined some of what is now acceptable? Some say times change and we must change with it. But God never changes and neither does His Word.

While evil has replaced good and while we shake our heads at it all, that peace that passes understanding lies deep in many souls. Do we want to see these things happen? No. Will we ever get used to it? No. But we know it was prophesied in the Bible thousands of years ago and it can be believed. How can one live with this peace?

Blessed are those who delight in His Word. There is a scripture relating to the Jewish people as they began their crossing over into the land that God had promised them. Basically, know God, fear Him, trust and obey Him and He will prolong life.
And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. ‭‭(Deuteronomy‬ ‭6:6-9‬)

When we know His Word today it will come to us for any situation tomorrow. It may be a promise, a conviction, exhortation, command, or comfort. We will be blessed, even in conviction, because God is wanting to do something good in us. There is a wealth of knowledge in this Book. A wealth of examples and truths. The Jewish men would bind small boxes to their foreheads (frontlets or phylacteries). These boxes held text of the laws as a reminder to keep them. We have Bibles to do the same. Is yours readily available? Do words from His Book come to mind? Are they written on the doorposts of your heart? 

The greatest truth you will find and delight in in His Word is that God sent His Son Jesus...He came down from heaven to be among us...so He could die that we might have life. Blessed are you if you know this and have received Christ because you have heard the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

He will prolong our lives...we will be like those trees planted by the rivers of water. Jesus is our Living Water. There is a tree of life awaiting those who will look to Jesus. The prosperity mentioned is not of this world but is in the Treasure of heaven, Jesus. The Treasure that has been offered to us to bring us life. Blessed are you if you know and understand this because it comes from the Word God has given us. 

If you recognize the unsettled lifestyle these days, seek God. You will learn why it is as it is, what to do. Instead of fear, we can have hope. We can have that peace that passes all understanding. From a well known hymn, It Is Well With My Soul:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Deuteronomy‬ ‭6:1-2 ‭- Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the LORD your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, that you may fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged.