August 3, 2017 - Blessed, we hear this word so often, but what does it truly mean to be blessed by the Lord our God.
“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.” (Psalm 1:1-2)
The blessed man sits himself apart from the evils of the world, even though he lives in the world, he is not a part of the world for he has been set apart by the Lord our God for his own good pleasure and not for the world.
The blessed man does the will and work of the Lord our God as he delights in doing God’s wishes. The blessed man delights in God’s Word as he studies and contemplates and reflects on the Word. Considering that the Word of God is what is to be done while on this earth.
“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.” (Psalm 1:3)
Being grounded in God’s Word gives the blessed man strength and faith allowing him to be fruitful in his works and worship of the Lord. As with a tree whose roots reach streams of water in summer, he does not falter when times become troublesome or he is persecuted for the name of the Lord our God. But he prospers in his faith and gains riches, laid up in heaven for the day of the judgment of the righteous.
“The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.” (Psalm 1:4) Without the leadership of the Holy Spirit the lost will be driven by the devil and will never stand with the righteous unless they repent of their sins and accept the Lord our God as their Lord and Master.
“Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, not sinners in the congregation of the righteous;” (Psalm 1:5)
There will be two separate days of judgement. First, the judgement seat of Christ that is spoken of here when the Lord returns for his own. We will all be lifted up in glory to meet him in the clouds and travel with the Lord to heaven where we will each stand before the Lord our God to be judged innocent of all sin and allowed to enter the Kingdom of God. To hear the words of Christ as he says; “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21)
No sinner, no wicked person will ever be allowed to enter into this congregation of the saints.
“for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” (Psalm 1:6)
The Lord knows the righteous and delights in those who have kept his commands, but he will send the wicked into eternal torment on the day of the great white throne judgement when the wicked shall all stand before the Lord to be judged guilty of their sins and sentenced to eternity in the fires of hell. Jesus said on that day many will come before him crying that they have done good works in his name but because they never truly devoted their lives to him he will tell them; “and then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” (Matthew 7:23)
To be blessed is to know the Lord and for the Lord to know you, devote your life to him and to do his wishes and commands and not those of the world.
May the Lord bless yo hand keep you and make his face to shine upon you this day…
