#DailyDevotion What Not To Do To Be Blessed
1Blessed is the man who doesn’t go with the wicked in their planning, stand in the ways of sinners, or sit in the company of mockers,
Blessed is how the collections of Psalms opens and the first book in this collection. We should see this as what God’s first intention towards mankind is. He wants to bless us. Indeed his creation of us is our very first blessing, that we should have existence at all.
Now before us God our Father places two paths before us. One is the path of blessedness and life. The other is the path of being cursed and death. What shall we choose? We know the first man chose the second path and by that action, as we are all one with him in that action, were placed on that path with him, having every inclination of our hearts being evil and wicked since our youth. (Gen. 6 & 9) Yet, our Father continually calls us back to the path of blessedness.
So then, who then is blessed? What is this path of blessedness like? He first describes it negatively. The blessed man does not go with the wicked in their planning or counsel. His way of life, his walk is not guided by their thoughts, planning and counsel. Walking according to their counsel would bring about much suffering and pain, not only in his own life but the life of others as well, which will only affect him negatively later. He does not stand in the way of sinners. A way here is a manner of life. Standing in it is abiding, living according to that way. The way of sinners or criminals is the way of doing things not according to the will of God but taking shortcuts. It is trying to get something in a fashion that avoids a way which may seem burdensome to us. Why do we have to do it this way. It would seem simpler if we just did it this other way. But this other way harms our souls and injures others even if we don’t always see it. That is what Adam did. He took what he thought was a shortcut to being like God in a manner which was in opposition to what God told him. The blessed man does not sit in the company of mockers. You might remember in Malachi those who said it isn’t worth following the LORD of doing what he says because it seems there is no profit in it. The blessed man does not listen to them. On the surface it may seem they are correct but they are not. Such is the three way negation way to blessedness.
You may say, “But Jesus sat and ate with sinners and tax collectors.” You are correct. But Jesus did not adopt their ways, live their lives, or take up their negative thinking about the LORD. Instead, he called them to repentance. He sought them to put them on the path of blessedness. Like Wisdom calling in the street to all who pass by to enter to her diner, Jesus called them and calls us to sit with him, abide in his ways and walk according to his counsels so we may be blessed. As those who have heard and listened to him, we join him in calling all people, especially the wicked sinners to join us with Christ, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life, to being blessed.
Heavenly Father, grant us true repentance that we may head your call to blessedness and be joined to Christ’s way, counsel and seat and thereby be blessed with and in him. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.