Subscription Lists

Come with me into the Book of Psalms Of all the years I have writing “Word from Scotland” we have never seriously taken time to study the Psalms – at least a few Psalms. It has always been my joy to go through a book of the Bible.

Psalm 1 – where we read these opening words - "Blessed is the man". If there has ever been a day in which we have so needed the blessing of Almighty God through Jesus Christ, it is in these days when the challenges to the Christian Faith are increasing and deepening and becoming fiercer. These next weeks and months are going to becoming increasingly challenging, so prepare now. Soldiers prepare in times of peace for a time of war. Prepare now. Know what is going on around you and discern the season.

We speak of blessing – we so need God’s blessing – and here it is in what has been called, “The Gateway of the Psalter”.

God wants to show us how we can be blessed, and He indicates the path of blessing and for blessing. And, our Almighty God also warns us what will happen if we ignore His Ways. Some may not like nor appreciate that aspect.

One modern translation expresses verse 1 as - "O the joys of those who do not follow evil men's advice." Blessed is plural.

There is a very real blessing or there are blessings when a man takes his counsel from men of God.

Blessed is the person who comes to God and God's Word and to God's men for advice and for help in time of trouble and need.

If we take the wrong counsel and advice, we will find ourselves hanging around in the company of those who do not know Jesus or keep His Word, and that will do us no good. There is no rest or blessing if we sit in such seats.

Blessed is the man who can say "NO" positively. “No - I am not doing that.” “No - I am not going there.” “No - I will not be with you.” That is not being negative but an indication of being highly positive.

Do you see in this verse what gradually happens? It is the picture of a man walking along with the ungodly. A series of steps leads certain commitments. Then he stands with them, and before he knows it he is sitting alongside them - agreeing with them - and perhaps beginning to scoff and mock at the things of God.

The sitting indicates a settled attitude of the heart. He does not walk for ever.

The blessed man is singular – but the wicked here is plural – they indicate many.

When a man lives in sin, man goes from bad to worse.

There does not appear to be any room for compromise here. Sin grows. When we move into sinners' company - we begin to think like them - speak like them - and act like them.

Yes - we have to work alongside such people in the world - but our fellowship is in Christ and with those who are in Christ.

In verses 2,3 we have a picture of the man of God, and this is the Bible's picture.

We are not told that any man wrote this Psalm. It is as if this comes from God - directly inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Here we see a man whose delight is in the Word of God, and he knows that God's Word is going to protect him from the counsel and advice of the ungodly or wicked, and prevent him from getting into the company of sinners.

This man wants to know what God is saying, and so he seeks to meditate upon it continually - as frequently as he is able to.

Meditate means to think seriously. We focus our eyes and our attention, and it is a delight. It is not a bother - nor a burden - nor an interruption.

We gain wisdom by reading and meditating upon God’s law. We receive light and understanding. Our world so needs the light of Jesus Christ in these present days.

What kind of man emerges - and develops - the man who takes God's Word - reads it - believes it - meditates upon it - thinks about it and obeys it?

What kind of person appears?

We have a man who is like a tree planted by streams of water. He is revived and refreshed and renewed and blessed by the Holy Spirit. Take and read Psalm 1 and be blessed by it – richly.

"Voice of Inspiration" from Andy Castro

A Lot Of Salt