Blessed is the man who …

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;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree
    planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers. Psalms 1:1-3

The statement “blessed is the man…” kept ringing in my soul – so I decided to look up all the scriptural references and compile a list. Here is what I found.

Keep the statement “blessed is the man who…” in the forefront of your thought each time…

• Walks not in the counsel of the wicked.
• Does not stand in the group of scoffers.
• Delights in God’s Word.
• Meditates day and night on God’s laws.
• The Lord counts no iniquity in whose spirit is no deceit.
• Takes his refuge in the Lord.
• Makes the Lord his trust.
• Does not turn to the proud, who go astray after the lie!
• The Lord disciplines.
• The Lord teaches and gives him rest from the days of trouble.
• Fears the Lord.
• Delights in the Lord’s commands.
• Is gracious and gives / lends.
• Conducts his affairs with justice.
• Will be remembered. (by the Lord)
• Is not afraid of bad news.
• Heart is steady.
• Distributes to the poor freely.
• Has children as a heritage from the Lord.
• Trusts in the Lord.
• Does not fear when the heat comes.
• Is not anxious in the year of drought.
• Remains steadfast under trials.

(Psalms 1:1-3, 32:2, 34:8, 40:4, 94:12-13, 112, 127:3-5, Jeremiah 17:7-8, Romans 4:7-8, James 1:12)

Lots to think about with that list. Did the Holy Spirit highlight any of those to you? Did you ask Him why? How many of those are in your regular practice of your life? Obviously these character points are for both the man and the woman to consider and ponder.

For us already in the New Covenant relationship with Jesus and filled with the Holy Spirit our “loving” of “God’s laws” has to do with ‘loving’ the relationship and instruction by the Holy Spirit, especially as He directs us through His Word. It is His interpretation to our heart and then mind that works His change in us.