Daily Devotion: A Blessed Life

Scripture: 
Psalms 1: 1-6
Main Verses: 
Psalms 1: 1-3
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,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 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.

Observation:
Psalms 1 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible because it gives us a clear idea of how to achieve a blessed life. But what does being "blessed" mean? Some people say that a person is blessed if he is successful. Others say someone who is sufficient in everything is blessed by God. Others equate being blessed with being lucky. But what does the psalmist say in Chapter 1 of Psalms?

The book starts with the word "blessed," and outlines those three things in verse 1 that a blessed person avoids: he does not walk with the wicked, stand or "take" the path of sinners, and does not sit together with mockers. In verse 2, it shows us that a blessed man instead is delighted in studying and following the law of the Lord. In verse 3, the psalmist compares a blessed person to a tree that yields fruit in season because it has been planted close to a stream of water. It only means that if we continue to drink the life-giving food and water of God's Word, The Lord will bless us in whatever we do. 

Application:
Being blessed and being happy are sometimes used interchangeably. In our quest for happiness, we sometimes use various ways just to be happy. We sometimes drink to ease our loneliness, but after the effects of alcohol have waned on the body, there is that feeling of emptiness again. We sometimes watch a movie to ease boredom. We may laugh at the funny antics but they give us temporary pleasure only. Some people are already rich and have everything they want to have in this world, but they still feel empty. Some even commit suicide.

The pleasures of this world can never replace the joy of being blessed by God. Only God can give such kind of happiness. The more we meditate on the word of God, the more we will feel God close to us. The more that we learn about God, the more we will see his greatness, his love, and his faithfulness. The more that we know about God's purpose for us here on earth, the more equipped we will be for our work here on earth. And the more equipped we are as his disciples, the more that we will bear much fruit like a "tree that has been planted by streams of water."

Prayer:
Father, thank you for giving me the time and opportunity to communicate with you and listen to you and read your Word. My soul yearns to be in your presence all day and all night. AMEN.