Psalm 1:1 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.

Blessed=The Hebrew term used here, ashre, describes someone who is privileged or happy.

We all want to be happy in life! This verse is telling us we can be happy & blessed if we follow the right counsel and hang out with the right people.

     That walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,

Where are you walking today? Where are you going?  Who are you with? Are we even on the right path?

When I was in the military, we were taught and shown how to read a map. The reason why is, we need to know where we are and where we are going and who is with us. It also tells them where they can drop off supplies to us while we are in the field. If we do not know where we are going, and how many with you or where we are, they will not be able to get the supplies to us that we may need. God wants to give us the necessary supplies we need for the mission.

God teaches us very precisely and simply in the Bible text that when a person first listens, then follows, then turns away from the wicked, then turns away from mockers and complainers, it is the choice of the righteous.

The Bible teaches us that the God who gave us breath gives us choices in life, and that it is only with ears of obedience and a humble heart that we can distinguish between sin and evil.

God created man and took a rib from Adam and made Eve from Adam. God is a God of love who created harmony with God.  Eve disobeys God’s words by hearing, seeing, and falling into evil, and enters the way of sin, and thus the curse of sin begins for all mankind, and the relationship with God becomes unapproachable because of sin.

However, the Bible text, and the Spirit of God continues to say that God is full of agape love for human beings and that it is only “Jesus” who can make human beings righteous and free them from sin, so do you know how blessed and gracious it is that we have become saved after believing, repenting, and confessing Jesus? We must preach the gospel, that is, Jesus, to the whole world. We who have become righteous and saved because of this gospel should not follow the deception of the wicked, nor should we stand with sinners.

This is why it is important for us to know how to walk the path God wants us to walk. To stay on the path and know where you’re at. Our mission from God is clear, give out the gospel message. How we do this can be in various methods.

Everyone it’s our choice!

An example: Last week we were blessed by the Merrills Ministry, which was with many different instruments, and in songs of praise, in the way that it was presented. We gave thanks and glory to Jesus for our missionaries. However, the message is the same Jesus Saves. When we follow the instructions, God has given, everyone is blessed.

When we listen to God’s Word, obey it, and humble ourselves, we enter the path of blessing, and we are filled with joy, thanksgiving, and grace, and when our souls are at peace, those around us are also at peace and blessed, and we learn to share.

If we are not careful and obedient to the word of God, we can get caught up in the world, or the wrong crowd, and we can become lost, and bad things can happen to you and me. Has anyone every had a friend or a person that lead you astray?

I had a friend, his name was Kenny and every time we were together, I would end up breaking all my father’s rules and I would get disciplined afterwards.  We have a Heavenly Father that has given us His rules, and He is looking out for your best interest.

We can get drawn into things that become extremely overwhelming and could cost us our lives. We can fall victim to our own circumstances. This happened to King Saul, when David came to play the harp for him. He got jealous and lashed out at him and tried to kill him with a spear.

King Saul ultimately lost because he was blinded by his own envy and jealous he expressed towards David. This led him to the Witch of Endor to seek counsel, and that led to his downfall and ultimate death.

Nor standeth in the way of sinners,

If we apply this verse to King Saul’s actions this is clearly a view of where Saul went. He went and had counsel with the wrong person. He ended up guilty by association.  Just like me, I was guilty by association, and I got punished but Kenny never did.  You see Kenny’s father had passed away shortly after he was born, and he really did not have any rules to live by. I thank God I had a Father to rule me. I thank God for Kenny, because God used him to teach me valuable lessons in my life. And I am still learning every day.

Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Saul also got counsel with the Witch of Endor and gained some worldly advice. Witches deal, and dabbles, in Evil spirits with the occult. And the Good deals with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. You see Evil and Good cannot mix, it is like oil and water. The oil stays on top and never mixes. They will always be two separate things oil and water.

Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

We need to stick clearly to the instructions of the word of God,

and use it properly to gain its full power and authority.

We need to be excited to glean from it. We need to have a desire to dive into it.

And in his law doth he meditate day and night. 

Meditate day and night- If we have the desire, we will not have a problem in meditating on it day and night or as often as we can.

We can gather many blessings from it and our lives will be changed for the better. Our direction will be clearer; our path will be established and our map reading skills will be improved.

Everything the Lord wants you to have will be provided and will not be lost.

Psalm 1:3 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.

We will be placed in the place that God wants us to be in, and we will be gaining the necessary training to complete tasks that God wants you to complete.

He plants your feet firmly, by the rivers of living water that you may grow there by and accomplish and establish all he has prepared for you.

That bringeth forth his fruit in his season;

If we are obedient and following the instruction God has given us

We should be producing fruits for the kingdom of God. In and out of season  

His leaf also shall not wither;

Your tree will be in full bloom. We just went through the cherry blossom season and when they were in full bloom everyone notices them, and comments on their beauty.

Don’t you want that said of you?

And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Everything you do will be gain to its fullest potential. We had a friend that grew a garden every year and most of the time he always had lots of produce because he knew just what to do. Every time you would pass his home you would see a lush and plush garden., even when it was a bad season, he could always produce a good garden.  Why? You see, he followed the same plan and knew exactly what to do at the right time and did it.  God is the same way He has given us a plan and if we follow it He says we will prosper.

Psalm 1:4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

The ungodly and the worldly are not like those that follow the plan they will focus on the wrong things, the world, and all its problems. They are blown around like the dust in the wind is it goes whichever direction the wind is blowing. God asks us to focus on His Word. It gives us the ability to have sound direction in our lives.

Psalm 1:5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.  

The ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,-because they have already been condemned. Please don’t be confused, everyone will see judgement some will immediately, some afterwards.

 Sinners in the congregation of the righteous- The sinners in the congregation will not stay very long, they will either get saved, or they will leave. They are just like the oil and water. They won’t mix.

Psalm 1:6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

The Lord knoweth the way of the righteous- and He knows there way and path.

The way of the ungodly shall perish- Because they are dead in their trespasses and sins.

Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Sometimes we must become still and allow God to move in our lives. Listen to the still small voice of the Lord.  By following Jesus, we will be blessed and happy all the days of our life. When we exalt God, He will bless us. And He will be exalted amongst the world.

“Obedience better than sacrifice”

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Selah! Amen!