Day 36
Session 6 – Week 6
This is our last week of doing this study together. Each day we will go back to a previous study method we have done over the past number of weeks and use the devotional study methods we have used together.
We will be using Psalm Chapter One this week for our study.
For today we are going to go back to our very first method. The Pronounce It method.
This is where we take a verse and go through it word by word emphasizing a different word each time to give the Word a chance to minister to you and go deep within you.
Today is Psalm 1:1, let’s do this and remember to apply it.
Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful…. Psalm 1:1
As I read through this verse several things jumped out at me. First of all, what does it mean to be blessed? In our world we often associate material things with blessing, but I believe blessing is much more than that. To be blessed in the Word was to have a life that was rewarded, a life of appropriated inheritance, a life that has been exalted. So the man who chooses a different path than most do is the guy whose life will be rewarded.
The person who does not allow the course and direction of his life be set by those who do not know God, will live the blessed life. Counsel refers to direction, advice, instruction. This challenges me because sometimes without realizing it I have come to see that my counsel has come from the ungodly.
The person who will be rewarded will also choose not to stand in the path of sinners. He will not choose the roadway, or highway most travelled. They also will not sit in the seat of the scornful.
The life that will be rewarded is the life that makes intentional choices to choose the path that leads to life. They do not sit as one who judges another, but recognizes that if you are going to live in the fullness of what God has for you then you must be willing to make choices that are different than what others might be doing. They realize that hard choices now, bring great reward both now and later. They see beyond the moment.
What does this look like for me and how can I apply it? I need to seek first the Word of God for my direction and counsel. When other voices are added to that process, I need to line those voices up with the Word. I also need to assess any area’s of compromise in my heart and seek to be free from any arrogance and judgement.
Comments(7)
Susan Craig says:
February 9, 2014 at 4:37 pmThe blessed life is one we all would love to have. In the beatitudes we see what Jesus’ definition of a blessed life is but that is not our focus in this verse. What stands out to me in this verse is that it focuses on the negative ways we may try to obtain blessing and the results which will be anything but blessing. This verse is one I have quoted extensively to my sons as a teaching tool-especially in their teen years where peer pressure and the desire to fit in with everyone else is so prominent. There is also a progression that occurs in this verse that deserves noting.
The Blessed life is NOT found by
1)-walking in the counsel of the ungodly
2)-standing in the path of sinners
3)-sitting in the seat of the scornful
Notice it starts with where we get our advice from-who are you listening to-who you go to when you need questions answered or are seeking wisdom.
If we seek advice from the ungodly-if we allow their attitudes and worldly view of life into our minds, that is where the journey away from blessing starts.
In the next step, we are not only listening to the wrong advice but we are walking/going/spending our time in the path of sinners-on the wrong road-the wide road that leads to destruction-not to blessing.
Finally,we become very comfortable where we are-we are so comfortable that we sit down and make the scornful/mockers of God a comfortable place to be-our ability to discern God’s truth is fully compromised by this point.
This verse states the negative viewpoint but it serves as a warning to all those who are seeking God’s blessing in their lives in all the wrong places. We will not be blessed by God if we are not seeking His advice,if we are walking down the wrong road, and if we are more comfortable with the sinners than the saints. Does this mean we are to avoid non-christians completely-not at all. What it tells me is that I need to know what I believe,why I believe it,whom I believe and why I believe Him. It means being confident/settled in my mind and my heart about what I know to be true and that it is unshakable/not in danger of being swayed/influenced by a worldly point of view. It means that I know Whom I have believed and am fully persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day!
Jim Holmes says:
February 9, 2014 at 11:43 pmI like your comments. Too often we can become like “the company we keep”. In church today, Pastor Freda taught from John 16. She emphasized the importance of “remaining” in the Word, continual abiding in the Vine. I am encouraging myself to do this, and to keep doing this. I just want to also encourage you as a dear sister in Christ to do the same. Jesus cares for you…always and forever. God love you. Thanks so much for sharing your heart and the Word of Life. 🙂
Sue says:
February 9, 2014 at 10:50 pmBlessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful…. Psalm 1:1
Blessed – I’ve had to rethink the word ‘blessed’ after these 30+ days of doing “40 Days”. My initial thoughts were that blessed related to a circumstance or a feeling or both. But in reality it is just as the Message version states it …”How well God must like you -“. It refers to relationship with God.
the man (woman/person) who – me, you
walks/stands/ sits – all are actions that require our participation. They speak of us making ourselves comfortable and useful in our environment.
counsel – advice/direction.
path – travelling/journey
seat – settle down it … make comfortable
These all speak of courses of action that lead to an outcome or destination.
ungodly/sinners/scornful – those who are not only apart from God but have set themselves apart by their actions.
I am blessed or have a clear relationship with God only if I choose to not walk in the ways of those who have foolishly turned their backs on Him. This verse starts with reminding us of the joy of relationship with God and then shows the flip side of going the other way and choosing advice from the enemy. Thankfully He makes the choice clear to us.
Jim says:
February 10, 2014 at 4:34 pmI like your discriptions and conclusion. The flip-side really discribes “the Way” from “Not the way of the world”…and as you emphasize, a choice to make. Yes…let’s choose “the Way, the Truth, and the Life”…and “to remain” in Him. It is clearly evident that God loves to teach and sharpen the rest of us up through your love and relationship with HIm. You are special.
Pat McRae says:
February 9, 2014 at 11:14 pmWell this one is a challenge I am not sure I have mastered but here goes.
“Blessed is the man (in my case woman)”. If this was all there was to the verse I wonder how I would think? Blessed is the executive who earns a quarter million a year or the one who just won a lottery. Or would it be the woman whose husband has loved her for 50 years or whose children have become doctors and lawyers.
But God doesn’t go there, no He gives me advice I have likely ignored more often then I have used it.
How does one walk in the counsel of the ungodly? Could this be when I have allowed the world’s ways ie: sex before marriage, abortion to be ok for those that want it? Oh I might of said it wasn’t for me but you do what you think is right for you. It was easier to walk in the counsel of the world then to stand and declare it wrong because it hurts the heart of a loving God.
How do I stand in the path of sinners? Maybe, just maybe it has been when I have grumbled, complained, back bitting and talking trash. Or could it be when I sided with a liar or caused disunity in my family? So easy to see the faults in others when you know they are your faults also. I know there have been times when I didn’t just stand in the paths but walked them arm in arm.
How do I sit in the seat of scorners? I am sure this is when I have sat in judgment about a situation, circumstance action or person that I had no idea of what was really going on. Once again it is easy to be judge and jury, yet I can’t see the heart; I have no idea what was the hope or dream for that situation. Only God knows the heart of man.
Today I see I am a blessed woman, not because I have mastered this verse but because my eyes are now opened to where God would not have me go. And if I have learned anything in the last 35 days it is God is at work and He is going to complete what He has begun in me. So when I start to walk, stand or sit where God has said not to go I know I will hear the Holy Spirit whisper “no not that way, follow Me” and then He will provide all I need to walk in the fullness of His calling because the riches of heaven are mine for the asking. But I have to choose to hear! follow! obey!
Open my ears that I might hear and follow Lord! Remind me Holy Spirit of where my loving Father would not have me go.
Jim says:
February 10, 2014 at 4:49 pmYes, it is a challenge…you challenged me with what you said. You open my eyes to see the mirky darkness that can overtake one in contrast to the gloriious light of God. Thank you for sharing. You are not only a treasure to us all, you are His treasure.
Jim Holmes says:
February 9, 2014 at 11:18 pmI had earlier followed the book, and so chose Ps.1:3 below…and included my thoughts on that passage below the one we were asked to do online which is Ps.1:1
Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.
I would look at this passage as follows: (my thoughts in brackets)
Blessed (happy, having God as your friend and companion) is the man (or woman, or son, or daughter) that walks not (doesn’t go places or do things) in the counsel of the ungodly (what is said according to those whom do not know God or do not hear God), nor stands in the way (not placing yourself in the presence of, not becoming like them) sinners (those choosing to go against the will of God, choosing one’s own way, those choosing disobedience to God’s laws), nor sits in the seat of the scornful. (not becoming unruly in what you say, not condemning others, not putting them down, not choosing words of Life, but words of death)
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Now, If anyone was following the book…From Psalm 1, I am chose 1:3 for today’s study. I considered the main words in and wrote the passage 3 different ways… It is as follows…
The passage 1:3 is this:
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper.
I describe () different words in the passage like this:
And he (Jesus) shall be like a tree (vine) planted (rooted) by the rivers of water (full of the Holy Spirit), that brings forth fruit (of the Spirit) in His season; His leaf (leaves for the nations) shall not wither; and whatsoever He does (bringing salvation to many) shall prosper (that will also bear fruit).
And I (Jim) shall be like a tree (branch) planted (abiding in the Vine) by the rivers of water (full of the Spirit, with rivers overflowing), that brings forth fruit (of the Spirit) in his season (“remaining”, continuing to abide in the Vine without stopping); His leaf (expression of Christ in us) shall not wither (if abiding, getting nourishment from the Vine); and whatsoever He does (I can do all things through Christ) shall prosper (seeing Jesus in me, they will come, being drawn by the Spirit). This shall prosper the Kingdom of God
Another way of rewriting this passage might be like this…
And we shall be made strong and stable branches if we are grafted into the Word of Life, the Word made flesh, Jesus, the Vine, the tree of Life, Who is well rooted into rivers of Water, full of the Holy Spirit, providing us with this Living Water, that we bear the fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, long suffering, etc. as we more and more put our trust in Him, that we too are overflowing springs of Eternal Life in us, we do not wither, and so others come to know through the expression of Christ in us, salvation, and prosper as we did.