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THINK On These Things |
Blessed To Bless |
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Our God is in the “Blessing Business.” He is a giver. It is His desire to bless us, His people, in every way. It has been that way from the very first moment of creation. All that is was made for our benefit. Truly we are a blessed people.
What does being “blessed” mean?
According to the Hebrew dictionary it means things such as happiness as well as good fortune. Psalm 1 is a mini seminar on being blessed.
Psalm 1
(1)Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, 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.
What does it mean to be blessed? Psalm 1 answers the question for us in verse 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.
To bring forth fruit in due season!
To have whatever you do prosper.
What a wonderful prospect!
Obey verse 1, practice verse 2, and verse 3 WILL be yours. It is a fact.
Let us presume you are a man. Let us have you turn aside from the things of the world that are listed in verse 1: ungodly counsel, sin, scorn for the things of God. Let us have you delight in the law of the Lord and meditate in it day and night, as prescribed inverse 2. Then you
“Shall be like a tree . . .”
In your mind, picture a tree: Strong, enduring, stable, unchanging except for growth. Trees weather storms. Trees live long, some longer than men. To be like a tree is to be strong, sturdy, long lived. A severe storm may damage a few branches, but the only real enemy that a tree cannot stand up to is extended drought. But this tree is planted, purposely placed, by the rivers of water. These are living waters that will feed and nourish without fail. Of course! What else could flow out of the Word of God?
“Shall be like a tree planted by rivers of water
That bringeth forth his fruit in his season.”
FRUIT! The very word makes you think of bright red apples, ripe oranges, sweet green pears, plump purple plums. Ummm. Fruit. In season. Sweet and pleasant. What a delightful promise.
Now, consider this question: When a tree brings forth fruit, who is it eaten by? Whom does it nourish? Not the tree.
It nourishes those among whom the tree exists.
When a man is like a tree and brings forth fruit it is not for him. It is for those whom he is among!
A blessed man blesses those about him.
A blessed man is able to feed the sheep, just as Jesus desired Peter to do. (John 21:15-17)
There once was a man who set himself to live a Psalm 1 life. We see a part of his report in verse 74 of Psalm 119, where we find the following observation as he converses with God:
“They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.”
Those that fear God will be glad to see this man! Gladness certainly fits the description of a blessing. And a life that can make other lives glad is surely bearing fruit.
Notice the special reason given for the gladness. It is not because of a handsome stature, a powerful personality, a reputation for generous giving, an over-riding authority. It is none of these. It is because he has hoped in the Word of God.
Delighted, Meditated, Hoped
Yes, the leaves are for the tree, and the fruits are for others.
What are the acts in which a Blessed Man might prosper? Will he oversee a great financial empire? Probably not. Will he do great works of construction, buildings and bridges and by-ways? I imagine not. Will he occupy prominent political office, exercising authority and receiving obeisance? Not likely. Here are some of the things he may do: He may –
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Teach the Word of God to others,
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Instruct those in need of guidance,
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Pray for healing and other needs,
And many other ministries, all of which will prosper.
“. . . his leaf also shall not wither . . .”
Healthy leaves are the mark of a healthy tree. A tree with healthy leaves has received nourishment from the sun and water very day.
The man with healthy “leaves” has received nourishment from the Son, and the water of the Word every day – and every night.
Drink Deeply – Bear Fruit – Bless Others
07/17
Presented by Bro. Al Salay, Blessed Man Ministries Inc.
1093 A1A Beach Blvd. #273, St. Augustine, FL 32080-6733