"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" (Psalm 1:1-2).
What does it mean to be blessed? It can mean to be happy or fortunate or favored. I think Psalm 1:6 explains why this person is blessed. They are blessed because God watches over the righteous. He protects them.
The Psalmist sets out two types of people: the righteous and the wicked. The righteous is described first in what he doesn't do, and then by what he does do. The righteous person doesn't get caught up in sinners way of life. He doesn't take life coaching from an evil person. Instead, he delights in the Word of God, and keeps it in his mind.
The wicked person lets sin take control of their life. Eventually, they will be blown away by the judgement of God. They have no share in the people of God. In the end, God will separate them from his people (see Matt. 13:24-30; 25:31-46).
If we want to enjoy a continuously fruitful life, then we must meditate on the Word of the Lord night and day. If we are steeped in the Word, then we can be confident that God's purpose will prosper in us. When we delight in the Lord, we will meditate on his word.
Showing posts with label Favor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Favor. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Friday, February 19, 2010
He Will Uphold His People
"The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand" (Ps. 37:23-24, ESV).
I have known many who have felt uncomfortable with the thought that God directs our lives. It strikes at the very heart of human autonomy. We want absolute freedom to think and do as we please, but such freedom doesn't exist in the human experience. No one picks their parents, the day of their birth, the color of their eyes or hair. None of us picked where we would be born, where we would attend school, or the opportunities that we would have.
We didn't have absolute freedom in our past, we don't have it in our present, and we will never have it in our future. There are so many forces outside of our control in life that we often have to change our minds. But God isn't driven along by outside forces. He never has to change his mind. As David reminds, he has established our steps.
When we can have confidence in the reality that when we delight ourselves in the Lord, the Lord will keep us from falling to our destruction. He will uphold us in his grace and mercy. The knowledge that God has ordered our steps, that he has actively decreed certain events to transpire in our lives, as well as allowed other events to occur, should be an encouragement to us. If God, in love, set our feet on the path of finding him, then it is certain that he will not allow our feet to wander too far off of that path. He welcomes us to delight in him as he delights in us.
Thus, what we poses in the Lord is the freedom to love him, because he first loved us. His love is unchanging, unflinching, never-fading, always-enduring, whole-hearted, unconditional love. Even if we fall--like David did into grievous sin--the Lord will not let us be destroyed. He may chasten us (and he will), but he will not let us be swept away. His hand, his strong and mighty hand, will hold us up, and not let the flood waters of judgment sweep us away.
I have known many who have felt uncomfortable with the thought that God directs our lives. It strikes at the very heart of human autonomy. We want absolute freedom to think and do as we please, but such freedom doesn't exist in the human experience. No one picks their parents, the day of their birth, the color of their eyes or hair. None of us picked where we would be born, where we would attend school, or the opportunities that we would have.
We didn't have absolute freedom in our past, we don't have it in our present, and we will never have it in our future. There are so many forces outside of our control in life that we often have to change our minds. But God isn't driven along by outside forces. He never has to change his mind. As David reminds, he has established our steps.
When we can have confidence in the reality that when we delight ourselves in the Lord, the Lord will keep us from falling to our destruction. He will uphold us in his grace and mercy. The knowledge that God has ordered our steps, that he has actively decreed certain events to transpire in our lives, as well as allowed other events to occur, should be an encouragement to us. If God, in love, set our feet on the path of finding him, then it is certain that he will not allow our feet to wander too far off of that path. He welcomes us to delight in him as he delights in us.
Thus, what we poses in the Lord is the freedom to love him, because he first loved us. His love is unchanging, unflinching, never-fading, always-enduring, whole-hearted, unconditional love. Even if we fall--like David did into grievous sin--the Lord will not let us be destroyed. He may chasten us (and he will), but he will not let us be swept away. His hand, his strong and mighty hand, will hold us up, and not let the flood waters of judgment sweep us away.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Finding More Favor
"Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue" (Prov. 28:23, ESV).
Proverbs express truths that are normally true, in most circumstance. They are not absolute truths, or promises, that guarantee specific outcomes. For instance, this proverb would not be true in the case of rebuking a fool (Prov. 17:10), or a scoffer (Prov. 13:1). Nor would it be true in a case where the rebuke is misguide, that is, aimed at the wrong person or the wrong situation.
Rebuke is a biblical tool of change. The wise yearn for it, for they know that they cannot always see things the way they are. Our attitudes shape our opinions; they sometimes cloud our judgment. It is helpful to have an "outside" opinion occasionally to help recalibrate our lives.
We should not understand the process of rebuking as undue harshness. While there may be times that a rebuke must be delivered with harshness, it does not always have to be. A rebuke points out an error in hopes that it will be corrected. A rebuke acts a stop sign urging the listener to throw on the brakes. It is better to rebuke from a genuine love and care for the person we are rebuking.
As we speak the truth in love, in generates appreciation in God's people. Now the appreciation may not be immediate. They may not hear our rebuke and then burst into the "Hallelujah Chorus." There may be a time of anger that flows an initial rebuke, but in true believers it will pass. Their anger will give way to gratitude as the Spirit works righteousness into their heart.
As their heart grows in gratitude, we see the truth of this proverb come to fruition. When we perceive our error, and are able, by faith and repentance, to move past it, we esteem our rebuker more highly. It is natural for believers to honor those who steer them back into the path of righteousness, whenever they have drifted.
Don't withhold correction from those to whom it is due. Don't flatter when you should rebuke, no one will love you for it (except maybe a fool). Don't be angry when you are rebuked, but rather rejoice in the knowledge that someone loves you enough to direct you back to the straight and narrow. When was the last time you thanked someone for lovingly rebuking you? Maybe you should think about thanking them.
Proverbs express truths that are normally true, in most circumstance. They are not absolute truths, or promises, that guarantee specific outcomes. For instance, this proverb would not be true in the case of rebuking a fool (Prov. 17:10), or a scoffer (Prov. 13:1). Nor would it be true in a case where the rebuke is misguide, that is, aimed at the wrong person or the wrong situation.
Rebuke is a biblical tool of change. The wise yearn for it, for they know that they cannot always see things the way they are. Our attitudes shape our opinions; they sometimes cloud our judgment. It is helpful to have an "outside" opinion occasionally to help recalibrate our lives.
We should not understand the process of rebuking as undue harshness. While there may be times that a rebuke must be delivered with harshness, it does not always have to be. A rebuke points out an error in hopes that it will be corrected. A rebuke acts a stop sign urging the listener to throw on the brakes. It is better to rebuke from a genuine love and care for the person we are rebuking.
As we speak the truth in love, in generates appreciation in God's people. Now the appreciation may not be immediate. They may not hear our rebuke and then burst into the "Hallelujah Chorus." There may be a time of anger that flows an initial rebuke, but in true believers it will pass. Their anger will give way to gratitude as the Spirit works righteousness into their heart.
As their heart grows in gratitude, we see the truth of this proverb come to fruition. When we perceive our error, and are able, by faith and repentance, to move past it, we esteem our rebuker more highly. It is natural for believers to honor those who steer them back into the path of righteousness, whenever they have drifted.
Don't withhold correction from those to whom it is due. Don't flatter when you should rebuke, no one will love you for it (except maybe a fool). Don't be angry when you are rebuked, but rather rejoice in the knowledge that someone loves you enough to direct you back to the straight and narrow. When was the last time you thanked someone for lovingly rebuking you? Maybe you should think about thanking them.
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