Psalms 1:1-4 (KJV)
1 Blessed is the man
that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor standeth in the way of sinners,
nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord;
and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,
that bringeth forth his fruit in his season;
his leaf also shall not wither;
and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
The beginning of the Book of Psalms is a fitting start to God's direction in our lives. It starts out "Blessed"! I love that! The Amplified Version says " "BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable)..." is the man! I want to be that man! The great thing is that He doesn't leave us hanging, He tells us how to be that man, woman, or child. Here it is.
First, don't follow after the worldly way of doing things, living and working as if you are just another cog in the worldly wheel. Stop! Turn around and endeavor to do things God's way. That's the true meaning of the word repent. Turn around. Go God's way instead of the world's way. Leave the old life behind and live according to Godly counsel.
Second, don't act like a sinner. Don't go where sinners go, don't do the things sinners do. Remember, God is talking to His people here and the context is expectant of a spiritual connection with Him. We are not sinners, we are redeemed, set apart, and have been made the righteousness of God in Christ (His anointing). He is saying "Don't act like normal people, act like you're a child of the King!
Third, don't allow yourself to get negative. Remember from whence you came. We all have our opportunities to become judgmental of others and situations saying, "I would've done this" or "Why would they do that?" There are times when it is appropriate to evaluate situations and performance but we must be careful not to become haughty and literally hateful. If I allow myself to become critical and negative in spirit I am going to miss the Blessing and I won't even recognize it.
That's just the first verse!
Here's how you get Blessed! Put God's Word first, make it your delight. We have far more control over our passions than we usually recognize. Whatever you spend your time on is going to form the essence of your life. Whatever you meditate on, and focus on, is going to become your passion. If we spend our time meditating on God's Word and His ways we will begin to think and act like Him because His Word is powerful enough to transform us into the person God designed us to be! It really is as simple as making His Word the priority and focus of our lives. Matthew 6:33 in the Amplified version says: "But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also."
Romans 12:1 says that we are to make ourselves a living sacrifice to God, calling it our reasonable service. We are to commit the whole of our bodies and faculties in service to God in order to prove, or fulfill, His perfect will in us. As Ps 1:2 says, as we delight ourselves, focus, meditate and study, His Word, giving ourselves to it both day and night, we will be transformed, changed by the entire renewal of our minds.
Here's the blessing! Verse 3 says we will be as a tree planted by the river. Never in need of nourishment. Healthy and flourishing in every area of our lives. Bearing fruit, growing, and prospering in every way. We will, as verse 1 says be BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable). That's God's promise.
