Derek Smith, Lead Pastor LHBC

Psalm 1:1-3
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. 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.

Blessings…delight….prosperity….man that sounds awesome doesn’t it! We love the idea of receiving the blessings of God. We count our blessings, pray for blessings, and give thanks for the blessings we have. Most often this means financial freedom, perfect health, all relationship issues solved, and all hardship taken away. However, the Psalmist here has a little different view of what true blessings really are. He writes and says that the blessed man is the one who meditates on the law of God day and night and delights in it. True blessing comes from soaking up God’s Word and applying it to life.

At the beginning of this devotional journey I challenge you to delight in the Word of God. We can delight in it because God’s Word is not a bunch of rules to condemn us, it is God’s love letter for life. It’s His blueprint for successful spiritual living. It’s His pathway to greatest joy and contentment no matter how much money you have or how healthy you are. His law shows us how sinful and desperate we are for Him, but His Word also tells us of forgiveness, salvation, and a love like we’ve never known apart from Him.

What happens when we meditate day and night on God’s Word? First, we are planted by His streams of living water. We are rooted in His love and grace, strong and healthy and able to withstand the storms of life. Second, we yield fruit in season, which means we are spiritually ripe at the right time. Third, our leaf doesn’t wither. This means even in the twilight of life we are still filled with His joy and gospel purpose because we are rooted in His Word. Lastly, we prosper. This means we successfully fulfill the mission of God’s purposes for our life.

Want to be blessed? Delight yourself in the Lord and His Word. Meditate on it day and night. Memorize Scripture and worship daily wherever you are. You will be a strong, healthy spiritual tree displaying the beauty of the glory of God in every season of life.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Oh Father God, thank you for your Word. It is your eternal law and your love letter to me. Forever Your Word is fixed in the heavens. Lord, I delight in Your Word, and I ask that you fill me with Your Spirit and sustaining power and grace today so that I may yield fruit in every season of life. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK:
Lamentations 3:22-23 – The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.