THE
BLESSED MAN
(Psalms 1:1-3)
BLESSED IS THE MAN... stop!!! This is today's focus from Psalm 1. We're going to take a look at being "blessed" and the things that signify this state of being. Are you blessed? Are you really? What you do is an indicator of whether you are or not.
If you ask the average Christian how they're doing, the response you might receive is "I'm blessed!". It was very popular in some circles recently to respond, "Blessed of the Lord and highly favored!". These response is usually of the canned variety just as responding "Nothing", when someone asks you what's going on with you. Though it may be true, it's a generalized response that's totally void of any real InSight. In some cases it's only true from a particular perspective. I'll explain.
The word and connotation of being "blessed" involves TWO DIFFERENT SCENARIOS. One, the most common, has to do with having something bestowed on someone. For example, if you wake up in the morning, you've been blessed to wake up. If a car almost rear ends you, but the driver is able to stop before he does, you were just blessed. If you get a raise, you've been blessed. You get the picture. The second scenario refers to a state of being -- a description of someone's status as the result of what he or she has done or is doing.
Because being "blessed" reflects two different
ideas, it's important to understand what someone is saying when they refer
to it, especially the aspect of being blessed that we'll talk about today.
Today's message will be brief. The idea is easy to express, but the references
cannot be exhausted in this type of forum. I hope and pray that the Lord
will inspire you to examine this issue for yourself (as you should always
do, instead of taking me or any other teacher or preacher at their
word).
In Psalm 1, David starts by saying "Blessed is the man...." By following this intro with qualifying criteria, David, through the Holy Ghost (remember, holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (2 Peter 1:21), lets us know that being blessed in this sense doesn't happen through osmosis. You and I must DO certain things to aspire to this state of being. David states four characteristics of the blessed man:
- Doesn't embrace or value ungodly/unwise counsel
- Doesn't abide in the realm of sinners from a lifestyle perspective
- Doesn't have a scornful (stubborn, contentious and obstiinate) personality
- Delights in the word of the Lord
We'll deal with these four attributes one-by-one in the coming
weeks, but realize the point-at-hand. You are not BLESSED until certain characteristics
apply to you. There are many who consider themselves blessed that embrace ungodly
counsel. When the devil says something, some react as if E.F. Hutton is speaking
(you remember the commercial...when EF Hutton speaks, everybody listens). Some
claim to be blessed, but if you watch and listen to them, they don't appear
any different than the folks headed to the bar for happy hour. Some claim to
be blessed, but operate in selective obedience and resist the things of God,
even when His will is proven to them. Some claim to be blessed, but could care
less about the word of God -- no embrace, no defense, no sanctification of
His will in their heart
-- reflective in their actions.
In addition to David's statement in verse 1, there are several other passages of scripture that speak about the attributes of "the blessed man". Let's look at a few. Again, I trust you'll take a look at these on your own later on.
- Being Forgiven (Psalms 32:1): Blessed is he whose transgression
is forgiven, whose sin is covered. This is one of the greatest blessings
in the world -- to be forgiven by the Father and have our sin covered (dealt
with). This is talking about collective sin. An unsaved person can be forgiven
for an act, but his personal, collective sin must still be dealt with. This
is the difference between the sinner and the saint.
- Having a Heart Void of Guile (Psalms 32:2): Blessed is
the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there
is no guile. I'm reminded of Romans 12:9 which exhorts us to let our love
be without dissimulation (hypocrisy). I'm also reminded of 1 Peter 2:1 which
exhorts us to lay aside all guile. Having guile in one's spirit is a hinders
the individual from receiving the word of God. It is the pure in heart that
will see God (Matthew 5:8). See to it that you keep your heart with all diligence.
- Trusting God (Psalms 34:8): O taste and see that the
LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. This means trusting
Him at all times, not just when it's to your benefit. We must trust Him to
the point that we are willing to bear the cross daily. This type of trust
transforms the individual that embraces it.
- Who Do You Respect AND Hatred of Lying (Psalms 40:4): Blessed
is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud,
nor such as turn aside to lies. The word "proud" means "insolent" (disrespectful).
The blessed man also lacks respect for those who embrace and practice falsehood.
By the way, if you don't think that who you've chosen to repsect has a bearing
on your life and spiritual well-being, think again. Romans 1:32 lets us know
that having pleasure in (e.g., think well of or be gratified in) people that
are displeasing to God is akin to having a reprobate (unprofitable) mind.
Love a murderer -- that's a reflection of you. Hold a liar in high regard
-- that's a reflection of you. Admire those who promote lasciviousness (e.g.,
today's secular music artists) -- that's a reflection of you. In so doing,
the enemy will deaden your spiritual senses and draw you closer to being
like those you admire and regard....to your detriment.
- Consideration of the Poor (Psalms 41:1): To the chief
Musician, A Psalm of David. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the
LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. The blessed man can't see someone
without, have this world's good and do nothing. This attribute of the love
of God should be preeminent in our lives.
- Identifying the Joyful Sound (Psalms 89:15): Blessed
is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the
light of thy countenance. Though people usually related this to praise and
worship, the term "joyful sound" is actually referring to a "battle-cry" (see
H8643 in the Strong's concordance). Today, a battle cry may not be sounded
with a musical instrument, but with a message -- a rhema, if you will. How
do you respond when you hear the call to battle from the Lord? How you respond
signifies your degree of blessedness.
- The Value of a Good Old-Fashioned Butt Whoopin' (Psalms 94:12): Blessed
is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law....
Though unpleasant, one of the greatest blessings we can experience is to
be corrected, instructed and disciplined by the Lord God Almighty. According
to Hebrews 12:5-8, we are to endure the chastening of the Lord. Those who
claim to know Him, but are without chastisement (whereof all are partakers)
are actually illegitimate children. How do you react when chastened? Do you
become stiffnecked or do you seek forgiveness and strength from the Lord
to renew your mind?
- What is Your Delight? (Psalms 112:1): Praise ye the LORD.
Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his
commandments. I love the specificity here...delighting in His commandments.
How do you react when you hear the commandment of the Lord?
- The Blessed Position (Proverbs 8:34): Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. Lastly, for today, the blessed man is one that is always "on stand-by", daily seeking to receive from the Lord (akin to Psalm 1). If you aspire to do this, just spend quality time in the word of God each day. Give the Holy Ghost something to bring back to your remembrance. Note the action words in the verse... HEAR, WATCH and WAIT. Excellent qualities for the Christian to embrace.
As stated, these are just a few. If we're going to be blessed indeed, we must embrace the activities God has ordained for us. Are you blessed? How blessed are you? Shoot for the stars, folks! In so doing, you'll be blessed AND will be a blessing (Genesis 12:2).
Until next time, keep the word and be blessed.
Remnant Online -- Volume 3, Issue 2
A Closer Look at Psalm 1:1-3 (Part 2) -- The Blessed Man
Copyright © 1999, Scenario Ministries International
Feel free to reproduce for non-commercial purposes.
