2006-12-02 - Seeking a Blessing

Psalm 1:1 2, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law, he meditates day and night."

We are all seeking after happiness. Sometimes something that might make one happy will not result in joy in another. In Bolzano, Italy a judge is having to consider if a designer toilet that plays the country's national anthem when it is flushed is a national offense. It was seized by police from the city's art museum recently. Lawyers have their arguments on both sides. But the reality is that while some argue the patriotic nature of the commode, others consider it a national disgrace.

It is true that what will give one joy may not another. However, this Psalm directs us to a happiness that is for everyone. The reality of how we each work out this blessedness varies with the person, but the principle still stands. The one who walks and delights in the law of the Lord and does not follow after wickedness is blessed.

No one seeks misery. We all seek happiness. Even those who live self-destructive lifestyles, when asked "Why?" will reply that it makes them happy. This Psalm starts out by giving us some good parental advice. The one who follows the Lord and forsakes the ways of the wicked is blessed. It is simple, but in its simplicity, we find a truth that we have all learned by both observation and experience.

It is often the case that those who begin to walk in the counsel of the wicked do not plan to stay there long enough to end up sitting in the seat of mockers. Often sin is viewed as something that we indulge for a season or in a moment of weakness. But that is rationalization and justification to appease a conscience that is screaming at our foolishness. It is not the path to blessedness. We know it, but all too often indulge the flesh and wooing of the world anyway.

When we read "law of the Lord" in verse two, let us simply read it as the Scriptures. So we could render the passage (in a very loose transliteration) "Happy is anyone who finds joy in the Word of God and has regular devotions." I did say it was a loose translation of the second verse. However, we know this is true. When we have regular times meeting with God in prayer and Bible reading/study, we feel closer to Him and further from sin. Sin will easily keep us from Bible reading and prayer, and Bible reading and prayer go a long way in combating sin in our lives.

If I had started out this short devotional by asking you if you wanted to be blessed, I am sure you would have thought, "Sure. Who doesn't want a blessing? Who would turn down a blessing? Who doesn't feel it is about time they had a blessing?" Well, you have just been informed how to have a blessing, and I didn't tell you; the Lord did in His Holy Word. "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night."

Soli Deo Gloria,
T-

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