THE BLESSED MAN
“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. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And 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.” Psalm 1:1-3
There is a path of blessing for each of us to seek and enjoy. The God of Heaven wants to bless His children. When God placed the first man and woman in the Garden of Eden, the Bible says that He “blessed them” (Genesis 1:22). It is important that we recognize this truth about our Creator and Savior. He desires to bless our lives. This fact will influence our prayer lives. It will keep hope alive when circumstances seem adverse. When it may not appear that God is blessing, we can know that He is working in ways we sometimes do not understand.
What does it mean for God to bless us? How is it that He blesses us? How might we be qualified to receive God’s blessings? Are we presently being blessed of God? Our text begins with the words, “Blessed is the man.” This simple phrase presents great promise for every sincere seeker of God. There is such a thing as a life that is spiritually and supernaturally blessed. God wants to make our lives fuller – more meaningful than anything that can be experienced outside the realm of His blessing.
The words bless, blessed, blessing are usually defined with such words as “happy, prosperous, enjoying the favor of God,” etc. True blessing comes from God. We are not just blessed by fate or coincidental circumstances. We are not just blessed by our hard work or determination. Anyone, including the ungodly, might think at times that things are really going his way and refer to it as a blessing. But the Bible teaches that there are precise and recognizable blessings that are promised from the hands of God. There are behaviors that God promises to bless, and there are lifestyles that prevent His blessing. In the Word of God, there are blessings promised to individuals, to families, to nations, to congregations, and even to our descendants. Sometimes we fail to recognize or appreciate His blessings. We want to see His hand of blessing on our lives.