The Blessed Man # 2

The Blessed Man # 2

Second "nor stands in the way of sinners." Here we have the associations of the blessed man - he does not fellowship with sinners. No, rather does he seek communion with the righteous. Precious examples of this are found in Abram's leaving Ur of the Chaldees, Moses turning his back on the honors and treasures of Egypt, Ruth's forsaking Moab to accompany Naomi.

Third "nor sits in the seat of the scornful." The "scornful" may here be regarded as the ones who despise and reject the true Rest-giver. "The seat" here speaks of relaxation and delectation - to not sit in the scorner's seat, means that the blessed man does not take his ease, nor seek his joy - in the recreations of the world. No; he has something far better than "the pleasures of sin", "in Your presence is fullness of joy" - as Mary found at the Lord's feet.

"But his delight is in the law of the Lord" (Psalm 1:2). Here we have the OCCUPATION of the blessed man. The opening "But" points a sharp contrast from the last clause of the previous verse, and serves to confirm our interpretation thereof. The worldling seeks his delight in the entertainment furnished by those who scorn spiritual and eternal things. Not so the "blessed man" - his "delight" is in something infinitely superior to what this perishing world can supply, namely, in the Divine Scriptures. "The Law of the Lord" seems to have been one of David's favorite expressions for the Word - see Psalm 19 and 119. "The Law of the Lord" throws the emphasis upon its Divine authority, upon God's will. This is a sure mark of those who have been born again. "The carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the Law of God" (Romans 8:7). To "delight in the law of the Lord" is a sure proof that we have received of the Spirit of Christ, for He declared "I delight to do Your will, O my God" (Psalm 40:8).

God's word is the daily bread of the "blessed" man - is it so with you? The unregenerate delight in pleasing self - but the joy of the Christian lies in pleasing God. It is not simply that he is interested in the Law of the Lord, but he delights therein. There are thousands of people, like those in cults, and, we may add, in the more orthodox sections of Christendom, who are keen students of Scripture, who delight in its prophecies, types, and mysteries, and who eagerly grasp at its promises; yet are they far from delighting in the authority of its Author and in being subject to His revealed will.

The "blessed" man delights in the precepts of the Word. There is a delight - a peace, joy, and satisfaction of soul - pure and stable, to be found in subjection to God's will, which is obtainable nowhere else. As John tells us, "His commandments are not grievous" (1 John 5:3), and as David declares "in keeping of them there is great reward" (Psalm 19:11).

"And in His Law, he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2). Thereby does he evidence his delight therein - where his treasure is, there is his heart also! Here, then, is the occupation of the blessed man. The voluptuary thinks only of satisfying his senses; the giddy youth is concerned only with sports and pleasures; the man of the world directs all his energies to the securing of wealth and honors; but the blessed man's determination is to please God, and in order to obtain a better knowledge of His will, he meditates day and night in His holy Word. Thereby is light obtained, its sweetness extracted, and the soul nourished!

His "meditation" in the Word, is not occasional and spasmodic - but regular and persistent; not only in the day of prosperity - but also in the night of adversity; not only in the day of youth and strength - but in the night of old age and weakness.

"Your Words were found, and I ate them; and Your Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart" (Jer. 15:16). What is meant by "ate them"? Appropriation, assimilation. Meditation stands to reading - as digestion does to eating. It is as God's Word is pondered by the mind, turned over and over in the thoughts, and mixed with faith - that we assimilate it. That which most occupies the mind and most constantly engages our thoughts - is what we most "delight" in.

Here is a grand cure for loneliness (as the writer has many times proved) - to meditate on God's Law day and night. But real "meditation" in God's Law is an act of obedience, "Do not let the Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it" (Josh. 1:8).

The Psalmist could thus appeal to God - can you, "Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my meditation" (Psalm 5:1).

~George Everard~

(continued with # 3)