Thursday, January 20, 2011

Good Company

Psalm 1

Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.

BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable; he has deep seated joy and contentment in God) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. But his delight and desire (characterized by the consistent contemplation and internalization of God's word for ethical direction and obedience) are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night. And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity].

McArthur says, "Walk not......nor stands....nor sits." exemplifies sin's sequential downward drag.

Blessed. God says many things about being "blessed." In Deuteronomy 27:11-28:6 God tells his people in a nutshell that if they follow his commands they will be blessed in everything they do. This was and if I am to be completely honest is a little confusing because James 1 and other passages in the bible talk about trials as being a blessing and them developing perseverance and things we need to grow in maturity to Christ but I know that even those things (trials) can be a blessing from the Lord because they do draw us in to a closer relationship with Him.

Another time "blessed" is used in the bible is in the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 when Christ says, "

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

I started to look at these more closely because they were a little confusing to me to be honest. This is what I found:

poor in spirit-deep humility, opposite of self-sufficiency, recognizes bankruptcy apart from God

mourn- means mourn over one's sin

meek- supreme self control empowered by the Spirit

merciful- a disposition to be kind and forgiving

pure in heart- blameless before God

peacemakers- see post on gossip here

persecuted for righteousness sake- persecuted for the gospel.


I am so thankful to God that He is teaching me so much every day. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with his goodness. I have also been studying generational sins and want to post about that soon; well see. I have been so sick this week but this morning I am feeling ok. I had fever all night last night but only 99 when I woke up this morning so I decided not to go to the doctor (oh and also because my throat doesn't hurt half as bad as it did yesterday.) But, Adam is sick now and losing his voice and that always makes me nervous because his job is to lead music and if he doesn't have a voice I have to sing to lead and I enjoy it but it's a lot on Sunday morning. So, pray we both get better!!

I am also going to get my ears molded (or however you say it) for my inner ears this morning because my ear canals are too small for the ones Adam has been wanting me to use and they hurt me. It should be interesting. I plan on posting Adelyn's 12 and 13 month post (together) later day!

No comments: