Living the Blessed Life

Living the Blessed Life

Text: (Psalms 1) 1 Blessed is the man that I. walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, II. nor standeth in the way of sinners, III. nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. Introduction: * In our text before us we see a three steps of downward motion, or decline, that take us away from the blessing of God on our lives.

* I want you to notice not only the steps that take us away from the blessing of God on our lives, but see also that downward motion of the posture of a man who is slowly moving away from the blessings of God on his life.

I. Step 1- Walking in the council of the ungodly. (Listening to the advice of the ungodly).

1 Blessed is the man that [walketh] not in the counsel of the ungodly,

A. Who are the ungodly?

B. The ungodly may be professing Christians. (The ungodly are the people who leave God out of their lives- Practical Atheists, Those who live as if God didn’t exist).

C. The ungodly may be family members.

D. The ungodly may be professionals.

E. The ungodly are those who live in open sin.

II. Step 2- Standing in the the way of sinners. (Running with the wrong crowd, those who live in open sin).

nor [standeth] in the way of sinners (Verse 1)

III. Step 3- Sitting in the seat of the scornful.

nor [sitteth] in the seat of the scornful (verse 1)

A. Sitting in judgment on the Bible.

B. Sitting in judgment on others.

C. Sitting in judgment on God. (Atheists)

IV. Notice now what it is that keeps us in the favor and blessings of God on our lives.- Obeying the Word of God:

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper

V. Two men contrasted. Also, in our text we two men, two ways, and two destinies. [Verses 4-6]

4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

* This contrast between the godly person and the ungodly person is given in much greater detail in Psalms chapter 37. Here the Psalmist gives us 7 principles of blessings, or 7 comparisons between the ungodly man and the godly man:

1). The ungodly man’s happiness is only temporary.

Psalm 37:1–40 (AV)

1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

2). God makes the Godly man fruitful, the ungodly man will lose all that the thinks he posses

3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

3). The Godly man will end well, the ungodly man will wither away.

10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. 11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. 13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. 14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. 15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.

4). God provides for the Godly man, but the ungodly will not have his needs met.

16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. 17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous. 18 The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. 19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. 20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.

21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. 22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off. 23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. 25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. 26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. 27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. 28 For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. 29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever. 30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. 32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. 33 The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.

34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

5). The ungodly tries to appear strong, but he is feeble.

35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. 36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

6). God gives the Godly man happiness and peace,

37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. 38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.

7). God is able to make the Godly man strong.

39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. 40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.