SCRIPTURE: Psalm 119:1-48
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart— they do no wrong but follow his ways. [Psalm 119:1-3]
Normally when we call someone “blessed”, we mean that they have a good life, things are going well for them, they have so many things to be thankful for.
But according to Psalm 119, the “blessed” person is the one who has set their heart of loving and obeying God, no matter what.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [Matthew 5:3-10]
Jesus makes the same assertion – the blessed person is not the one who seems to have a good life, but the one who is devoted to God and His will.
From God’s point of view, the blessed person can be at the bottom of the pile in the world, one that is struggling or rejected or weak.
Every year at Thanksgiving, I sense this mixed up view of “blessedness”.
People who seem to have a good life recount all of God’s ‘blessings’, while those who struggle wonder why God isn’t blessing them.
But Jesus and the psalmist challenge this view of blessing; in fact I think Jesus goes on to call those who are ‘blessed’ in a worldly way ‘cursed’.
But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets. [Luke 6:24-26]
Try preaching this at the next Thanksgiving service.
If you want to be blessed in God’s eyes, make it your top priority to love and obey God, no matter what happens in this life.
Be devoted to a godly life, and He will call you blessed – truly and eternally happy.
You may struggle, you may be laid low in the dust, your soul may be weary with sorrow [Psalm 119:25,28], but in God’s eyes you will be blessed.
And one day that blessing will be apparent, when the Lord finally says – ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ [Matthew 25:21]
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to focus on love and obedience, not blessing, for that is the way to blessing!
God’s way is the highway of life. If you want to live, live, feast, seek, His Way. The focus is the upward look. Reliance not upon self but upon Him. Living for Jesus is telling of His faithfulness, His laws, His riches, His Word. Happiness is -obeying His Word. Open My eyes Lord that I might see You.
Seeing His Way is the focus of living. His Way is my Guide. His decree is the voice within me saying ‘This is the Way. Walk in it.’ His Way is my strength and song each day. He gives understanding as He did for Daniel and his friends. His Way gives joy His Way is life everlasting. What more do I desire than to live with Him eternally.
Help me to walk in Your SonShine each day. Make me GodStrong so that I can be ArmStrong and LiveStrong and JoyStrong and TalkStrong and SpeakStrong each day to do Your will.
There is a name I love to hear,
I love to sing its worth,
It sounds like music in the ear,
The sweetest name on earth.
O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus, Because He first loved me.