March 20, 2023 -- Psalm 1:1-2 -- Psalm series: starting in the way of blessing
/People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power:
Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!
Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2 ESV
Dearly loved people of God notice that the very first word in the Psalms is “blessed”. It carries the meaning of blessed and happy. One of the tribes of Israel was called “Asher” and his name means “happy” and “go in a straight line”. Don't miss the significance of this. The Psalms are the prayer-book of the Bible. The LORD of Heaven and Earth, Who has redeemed His people, teaches them to pray. The language of the Psalms is beautiful, instructional, spoken as man’s blessing to God in response to God’s first act of blessing to His people: their salvation. New Testament Christians know the salvation of Jesus Christ and are inspired to read and pray this book.
The man, the woman, the child who walks in a straight line with God, going toward Him in all things finds that he is surrounded by the blessing of God. Companions from the sinful past, the wicked, the scoffers and the sinners are the torturous path back into ruin. What keeps a Christian on the straight path of blessing, no matter the circumstances, it is knowing God, reading His word, speaking His Word to oneself through-out the day. That is memorizing the word. That is writing the word in emails to friends. That is comforting others with the rich word of God. All these things are used by God to guard His people in the grace of Jesus Christ. The Father and the Son pour out the Spirit so that the believer is guarded in the way of happiness and blessedness, that is, the way of the LORD.
This Psalm sets the tone for the whole book of prayers, that is, the Book of Psalms. A believer will face challenges, pain, persecution, enemies, but the way of blessedness is always found in the straight path to the LORD. He is the Author of your salvation. He is the Perfector of all who believe. He is the strong tower for all who are in need.
Father of all blessedness and joy, great and holy is Your Name. Mighty is the wonderful salvation You have given in Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament He was anticipated in every sacrifice, He was foretold as the Lion of Judah. In the New He is the Warrior-King, the Captain of Salvation for all who believe. Triune God, may Your Spirit guard Your people in the straight path of blessedness and holy joy. Let the light of such holy living compel many to see the way in which we live and be drawn to seek You out and find in You true blessedness. This we pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
The Doxology -- Anthem Lights featuring Selah
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