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.

A few days ago I wrote a devotion asking each of you if you were happy.  The Old Testament word that comes closest to the meaning of our word, happy,is “blessed”.  Obviously the feeling of happiness or the state of being happy is a positive experience.  However, in our verse for today, it is connected with three negative actions.  Instead of God telling us what we need to do in order to be happy, He tells us what we should not do.  These actions that we should avoid are connected together as a downward progression (or a regression).  Please notice…

1. The World Should not be Your Guide – walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly
   Where do you get your advice?  Who tells you how to think?  How are the boundaries set for how you live?  I hope your answer is God and the Bible, not the world.
2. The World Should not be Your God – standeth (not) in the way of sinners
   “The way of sinners” is referring to the overall conduct in which they live their lives.  Humanism is a philosophy that states we are our own god and there is no higher power much less a need of a higher power.  “Look out for you, do what makes you happy, and do not worry about the consequence.”  This is exactly opposite of God’s principles and is full of heartache and sorrow.
3. The World Should not be Your Governor – sitteth (not) in the seat of the scornful
   You are known by what you say, where you go and spend your time, and how you live day by day.  The spirit in which you do all of these things comes through loud and clear.  The old saying is true.  “Actions speak louder than words.”  People are watching you and know what they see.  Who and what is governing your life?  I hope it is the Lord and the Word of God.

In my opening remarks I mentioned a downward progression (or regression).  Notice the decrease of movement.  Walking becomes standing.  Standing becomes sitting.  When we understand the will of God for our lives, action increases not decreases.  The world and the devil always wants to tear us down and cause us to go backward.  God always wants to build us up and cause us to move forward.   I want you to be blessed, or happy.  More importantly, God wants you to be blessed, or happy.  Are you “blessed”?