THE BLESSED MAN “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.” Psalm 1:1 David, the shepherd of Israel, starts the collection of the Psalms where all God’s shepherds should begin their ministries, fill them full and conclude. He begins by teaching us the way to blessedness and to warn of the sure destruction of sinners. ‘Blessedness’ has a negative application for where he ‘walketh not.’ We are not only blessed for what we do, we are blessed for what we do not: those who simplify the idea that the Christian’s walk is immaterial and of no importance miss it altogether. It is not only important where we walk, and how we walk, but where we walk not. Let’s let the scripture counsel us in this most important part of a believer’s life. “Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs” (Lev.18:30): “For the customs of the people are vain” (Jer.10:3). These verses include advice, doctrine, psychology, and philosophy. Humanism is a vain doctrine and those who walk in it walk in vain. ‘Walketh’ in a perfect mode, meaning habit: I John 3:9 reads “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin,” not absolutely, it would contradict 1:8, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Where he ‘standeth’: if a man is in the ‘way’ of sinners, he is identified with them, and if he is identified with them, he is not identified with Christ. Though I remain a sinner, a blood washed sinner I am, and by grace numbered with the righteous: a man that walks with God can have no close association with the ungodly. Grace is not only our saviour, grace is our sanctifier. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Tit 2:11-12). “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away” (Pro 4:14). Read Ephesians 5:1-11, “stand fast”…having to do with one’s position. He is blessed in where he ‘sitteth.’ “A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke” (Proverbs 13:1). A scorner is a person who will not hear, nor tolerate the wisdom of God or godly counsel. He is the obstinate, self-willed person, the rebel. He is filled with pride and independence, and is cursed and destined to destruction. I once companied with such, but by grace was separated from them, and am thankful to God for it. Remember I said there is a positive aspect as well. A man is blessed for not only where he ‘walks, stands, and sits NOT, but for where he does walk, stand and sit. Where he walks, “All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep His covenant and his testimonies” (Ps 25:10). “Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me Thy paths, lead me in Thy truth, and teach me: for Thou art the God of my salvation; …” (Ps.25:4-5) For where he stands he is blessed Josh.24:15, and for where he sits he is blessed Eph.1:1-3; 2:47. ~~Terry Worthan, 1938-2022
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