“Blessed is the man…”
Psalm 1:1
Blessedness is what everyone on this earth wants. Some want material blessings. Others would be just fine with wealth. Others would be absolutely thrilled for the blessing of good health. And then there are those of us who would like to be blessed with God’s blessings. But just what exactly is blessedness?
In Psalms 1, King David shows us who a blessed person is, how a person may be truly blessed, and what the advantages of this type of blessing are.
He begins by contrasting the blessed man with the ungodly, the sinner, and the scoffer. The blessed man’s one defining characteristic is that “his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.”
The blessed man's one defining characteristic is that "his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night." Click To TweetThe Natural Man
When we understand that the natural man, in his fallen state, cannot delight in the law of the Lord, we will begin to appreciate how blessed that man is who can truly delight in the Law of the Lord. Consequently, the Apostle Paul said, “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:7) He also once said, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24) You are a truly blessed person if you are able to run after God with all your heart and all your strength and all your mind.
Blessedness is being able to be wholly inclined towards God. The blessed man’s one preoccupying thought is God and His Holy Law. His “delight is in the law of the Lord,” and he “meditates on His law day and night.” (Psalm 1:2).
Blessedness is being able to be wholly inclined towards God. The blessed man's one preoccupying thought is God and His Holy Law. Click To TweetWhatever we focus on in our mind and in our Spirit will begin to manifest itself in our day-to-day lives. What peace we will enjoy! What happiness! God created us to have communion and fellowship with Him. Therefore, when we can live accordingly, we will be truly blessed.
The Blessed Man
This man will be “…like a tree planted by streams of water,…” (Psalm 1:3), always bearing fruit and never fearing drought. Whatever he does will come to fruition. No botched plans, or failed endeavors. He will have success in all his ways and all his paths. The evil person will be uprooted and shaken. (Psalm 1:4).
The blessedness of the blessed man is the fact that he will live on in eternity, beyond this life, with his Lord. He delighted in His Law while here on earth and he will delight in His presence in the coming life. God will watch over that man and protect him till he finally comes home and meets him face-to-face.
The blessedness of the blessed man is the fact that he will live on in eternity, beyond this life, with his Lord. Click To TweetMay the Lord grant us this life!
Q: What practical steps can you take to increase the quality and quantity of time you spend both in God’s Word and with God in prayer? Let me know in the comments below.
