verticallife

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3All of us have goals. Finish school. Get a job. Get married. Have kids. Stay married. I don’t know anyone who would say, “I want to live a life that’s cursed. I don’t care if I‘m fruitful in my work.” Yet, so many people are not living lives that are blessed and fruitful.

Blessed. Abraham was told his life would be blessed so that he would bless others. “You will be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:2) Jesus taught on certain attitudes that would be blessed (Matthew 5:3-12). You would be blessed if you were merciful to others. Be gentle. Hunger for something deeper than just physical food. Make peace.

Blessed. It means to be divinely or supremely favored. Fortunate. Happy. Content. Good of any kind has been bestowed on you. To bless means to exalt, glorify and magnify.

David wrote how a person who does not walk (conduct his life) in the counsel (the opinions, beliefs, thoughts) of the wicked or stand in the way (path, road) of sinners or sit with mockers will be blessed. Conduct your life in the words of those who desire to live righteous, upright, godly lives of integrity. Stand (place your feet firmly) along the road of those who want to do what’s right. Take a seat with those whose words are uplifting, instead of tearing others down. How much you are blessed depends on where you are walking, where you are standing and where you are sitting.

Fruitful. How fruitful is your life? Are you seeing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) growing in your life? Are you more or less loving? Are you more or less joyful? Are you more or less patient? David seems to believe your fruitfulness will grow as a result of your faithfulness to God’s words.

Kings were instructed to have a copy of God’s words for themselves (Deuteronomy 17:18-20). It kept them from conceit. Joshua was instructed to read God‘s words day and night (Joshua 1:8-9). It helped him face his fears.

If you want to be blessed and productive in life, meditate on (engage in thought or contemplation; reflect on) God’s words. Read them. Stop for a moment. Think about what you read. Reflect on them. Allow them to speak to you, saturate you. You will find how that one act will bless you and make you more fruitful.