The psalmist opens its most magnificent chapter of the Psalms with the primary precept found in it – that those who seek to obey God are blessed. Most likely, nearly all believers have discovered that God does bless when they begin their walk of living so as to please Him. The concept that obedience brings His blessing is important to remember to keep us going on for Him. It must be remembered because many Bible characters ofteny ran into opposition from the world when they decided to do things God’s way.

This would clearly include people such as Able who would not compromise on the sacrifice God really wanted, and Joseph, who was determined to remain pure. Hebrews 11 mentions other godly people who would not accept deliverance, even from terrible persecutions and death. They did it because they were willing rather to die pleasing God with their lives rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.

This verse takes in a lot more than just the present circumstances. It also considers eternity. Though we may not always be blessed in the here and now, there is no doubt, says the Psalmist, that they are blessed, who walk in the law of the Lord – the Bible. God’s blessing does not always result in material blessings, but He does promise sufficient provisions, inner peace, joy, power over sin, fellowship with Him, and much more.

Every believer needs to determine to walk in light of His blessing. It is true even if it should only come in eternity.

Paul first encourages believers to be a “living sacrifice” to God, and then he tells them why. He calls it a “reasonable service.”

Many reasons could be given as to why it is “reasonable.” They certainly would start with the fact that we do not deserve it; and secondly, God did not have to put His Son on a Cross for us.

God could have let all of us simply go to Hell and pay the price we deserve for our sins. After all, we are told that “the wages of sin is death” (Ro. 6:23).

In love, God sent His Son to redeem us by dying on the Cross for us. Then, He made salvation as a gift through faith (Eph. 2:8,9) and did not make us earn it. In fact, He rejects all attempts to make us pay for it – or even part of it. Once faith is put in Christ for salvation, all our sins are forgiven and erased.

We should also consider being a “living sacrifice” because He put us into His family and made us joint-heirs with His Son, Jesus Christ (“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ,” Ro. 8:17).

God’s redemption of us also includes eternal life with Him, the removal of sin from our natures when we see Him in glory, and a perfect and sinless world in the future. What more could He have done to make His gift of salvation wonderful?

Considering all these things and more – it certainly is reasonable! He will not make you make that decision, but it should also be mentioned that He adds “abundant life” and blessing to those who make that choice!

As you read the Scriptures, you will occasionally come across verses and statements such as the one above. Although it is not often taught, it still is a valid New Testament principle for today.

The Apostle Paul beseeches (asks) the readers of this letter, because of the mercy that God has shown to you through Christ, to willingly yield yourself to Him to accomplish the will of God through you. Believers are to offer their bodies to His service and not do what they want with their lives.

To present your body to God means that you must tell God that you are ready to do what He wants every day from now on. You must be willing to live for His glory and not your own. Because of our sinful nature which we will continue to have until we die, this dedication to His service needs to be done daily.

The words “living sacrifice” means that there is no going back on your word. An animal to be offered as a sacrifice in Bible times had no future plans or goals – others made those decisions for it.

Although God will never force you to obey Him, you will find your life more pleasant and blessed if you keep on following Him and His Word. To be faithful, you will need to spend considerable time in the Word every day and in prayer. It is how you learn His will and get power for service. Attendance and service in a local church is also expected.

Are you a “living sacrifice” for the Lord Jesus Christ? If not, will you yield to His will today?

God desires that His children think His thoughts. The first three verses of Psalm 1 reveal that He will bless those who meditate on His Word daily. The Bible is God’s thoughts to us.

It is His Word in the minds of believers that makes our thoughts pleasing in His sight. In Romans 12:2, Paul talks about how the believer’s mind must be renewed – which enables it to be transformed to the will of God. Then, in I Corinthians 2:16, he says that we have the “mind of Christ.”

In Noah’s day, the imagination of the hearts of the people were only evil continually. People are no different today. Even though some may have a form of godliness, their hearts are unregenerated. They walk in darkness and are incapable of pleasing God in their thoughts or their actions. Romans 8:7,8 says: “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”

In this chapter, the only difference between the ungodly and the blessed man is the fact that the blessed man meditates on God’s Word. The Word not only enables him to be blessed, but it also gives him value. He delights in the Word of God.

The wicked have no desire to hear the Word of God. They despise it. Chaff is worthless – it is airy and light and the wind just blows it away. When harvesting crops in Bible days, the chaff would be gathered and burned. This is a picture of what will happen to the unregenerate on judgment day.

The wheat has weight and is the desired product. It will be gathered into God’s “barn” (Heaven).

Are you wheat or chaff?

Yesterday, I talked about how and why meditation is so necessary to receiving God’s blessing. It is also essential to the growth of the Christian. Psalm 1:3 talks about the extent of the blessing and growth to be received through meditation when it is performed daily.

The illustration of that blessing and growth is likened to a tree planted near a river. A tree in this case would have a constant supply of water, which would result in a lot of fruit.

The tree also would not lose its leaves prematurely because of the constant abundance of water. It does not need to fear drying up.

Daily meditation on God’s Word is promised to result in success in whatever you do. This success is conditioned by the doing of those things the Word says – as you learn of them.

It does not mean that God will bless all your plans – as some people suggest. Instead, it means that as you meditate daily on the Word and apply those Biblical principles, your plans will be molded to God’s plans. Only when they conform to His plans will you see success.

Do you want that kind of success? Daily meditation is the key. The joy of living a life following His plans is that there are no regrets.

There are many ideas out there about how to be blessed. Some of the strongest blessings are related to the Word of God. 

The above verse is a clear example of this principle. The Bible repeatedly lets it be known that God’s Book is essential to getting His blessing. Despite this, few people claiming to be Christians actually read it every day.

As the verse says, reading is not enough. The believer must also meditate on its teachings. It means to think about what you read and get out of it all you can – like a cow chewing its cud seeking to get all the sweetness out of it.

You also want to pray about what you read, confess sins when the text reveals them, and asking God to help you fulfill the responsibilities and duties mentioned.

Lastly, notice the word “delight.” When your heart is right toward God and His Book, you will delight in it and meditation on it will not be a chore. There are so many marvelous things in God’s Book that it will delight you if you let it. Your time spent in the Word and prayer will become one of your greatest joys.

In the first chapter of the Psalms, God, through David, reveals the kind of person He wants to bless. These blessings are not necessarily earthly or material blessings.

The word “bless” means happy. It is not necessarily the smart person, the handsome or beautiful person, and it is not the charismatic individual.

Instead, the brief chapter reveals that, first, there are some things the blessed person does not do. He or she does not hang out with people who God disapproves of. These people are put into three categories: the “ungodly,” the “sinners,” and the “scornful.” Each of them follows their own desires and plans – none of which God can approve of.

The blessed person does not associate closely with any of these people. Their advice and “wisdom” are contrary to God and His Word. It is because they are not enlightened by God and do not understand the Bible or the way of the Holy Spirit.

When the believer needs direction and advice, they need to go to the Bible for it or to a Pastor – if they really want to be one of those people who God blesses. God has given us Divine advice and guidance for every situation we will face in life. There are plenty of people online or on TV, etc., who want to give their advice, but it will not help you to draw close to God or live victoriously for God.

Proverbs 19:27 tells us: “Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.” This means do not even listen to advice or counsel that comes from people who do not know God.

If you want to be blessed by God, it becomes necessary to spend time in the Word every day to know what our Lord says about the things we face daily. When you do, you will learn the way He wants you to live for Him.

Do you want to become that person God wants to bless? Are you in the Word every day and in church where the Word is taught regularly?

In the midst of his trials, David proclaimed that God had been his help all along. God never forsook him or proved Himself unfaithful. He kept His promises.

His experience with God made him determine to stay close to God, proverbially close enough to be in His shadow. Of course, God has no literal shadow, but the idea is that if you are in someone’s shadow – then you are very close to them.

David had an expectation of what abiding in God’s shadow might bring. He knew that it would bring rejoicing. Staying close to God is not a sad experience – it is a most joyful one. Believers who have little or no inner joy are those who do not walk close to God.

He even declared, in Psalm 119:62: “At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.” While most people sleep, David determined that because of his love for God and His Word, that he would even praise Him at midnight. Just two verses later, he talks about praising God seven times a day for His Word. This was not a duty to him – but a joy.

As he walked close to God, David found another blessing. He learned that God would uphold him. David did what God wanted him to do. And when he did, God gave him the strength to do it.

Are you walking close enough to God to be in His “shadow,” and are you experiencing His joy and strength? You can!

When Abraham’s and Lot’s cattle became too many for them to live together, Abraham gave Lot the first choice of the direction he wanted to go. Lot looked toward the greener grass of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Abraham looked to God for guidance and He revealed that all the land around him would one day be his – and his ancestors. Abraham was looking to God for direction and God blessed him.

Lot had little spiritual insight and soon lost all he had except for his two daughters. He left Sodom later only with the clothes on his back, his wife and two daughters. As they left the city, his wife turned back and turned into a pillar of salt.

Abraham was not looking just for greener grass, but for a city whose Maker and builder is God. This is where our eyes need to be. He often built altars and worshipped God frequently.

People without Christ in their lives, as well as Christians not serving God, will also find that one day they will lose all the material possessions they ever had. Believers cannot lose salvation, but many will not have any rewards – and probably not a mansion, either.

The Bible tells us not to be a friend of the world (I Jn. 2:15), but to seek first the kingdom of God – like Abraham. Because he did, God richly blessed him.

Not long ago, the business world discovered that daily meditation has some benefits. Several leaders encourage others to engage in it regularly.

Christian meditation is different. It involves focusing on principles of the Word of God or on God Himself. It can mean thinking about a particular verse or doctrine, and more.

The promise of success is clear. God promises to give “good success” and prosperity in your life. It does not necessarily mean riches or fame. It will involve satisfaction in knowing that you are pleasing to God.

In order to have the success God wants to give you – you must first surrender to His will for you. Then, notice that there are two conditions in the text verse. The first is to meditate daily on His Word. The second is to be deliberate in doing all that you read in His Word. 

Along with knowing that you are doing His will, you will discover the joy He gives. You can also experience a life without regrets. Although God never promises a trouble-free life, it certainly is one worth living – and He will help and guide you all along the way!