GOD’S GIFT LEADS TO A NEW AND BLESSED LIFE, NOW AND FOR ETERNITY

BIBLE PASSAGE:
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,  
but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,    
and who meditates on his law day and night. 
(Psalm 1:1-2)

MEDITATION:
We can learn a lot from the Psalmist.
He knew there were at least three important changes 
required of individuals in order to be blessed by God.
First, we should no longer follow the ways of sinners and the wicked.

It doesn’t mean that we totally isolate ourselves from them,
but there are times when we have to separate ourselves in order to obey God.
No longer do we participate in the activities 
that we know are displeasing to our Heavenly Father.
We are all sinners so we are no better than anyone else,
but when we received the gift of God’s mercy and grace,
we have become new people with new priorities, new attitudes and new habits. 

Turning our backs to the things of the past, we have turned to the Lord and 
are being renewed as people drawn toward righteousness, and away from the 
sinfulness that had us in its grip, before we were freed by the blood of Christ.
Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its 
practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge 
in the image of its Creator. (Colossians 3:9-10)

Secondly, we learn to delight in God’s instructions 
to those who belong to Him.
In order to accomplish that, we have to turn our backs to sin 
as we turn and face the One in Whom we have committed our lives.
Delighting in the commands we once resented and resisted is not an easy task,
but the Lord has promised us the Holy Spirit to help us where we are weak.
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will 
give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit 
of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor 
knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” 
(John 14:15-17)

Lastly, we develop an ability to think about the Lord’s instructions often.
We often hear people quote something someone else has said.
They do that because they heard and remembered what they said.
How can we recall the words of the One who gave us our greatest gift
if we do not spend time reading His messages and listening to His words?

NOTE: If we struggle in this area, the devotionals He sends me to distribute 
give us an opportunity to practice and learn how to meditate on His Words.

ACTION:
If you are a Christian 
and feel that you are not fully receiving God’s blessings,
then learn from the Psalmist and follow his instructions for being blessed.
God’s blessings are not some mythical concept for feeling good, but they 
are real gifts from our Creator for those who are willing to change.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, forgive me if I have failed to turn away from the 
things that displease You. Help me to spend more time reading Your 
Word, meditating on Your instructions, and developing a closer 
relationship with You. No longer do I want to have a lackadaisical 
attitude regarding the salvation You have given me. I want it to be 
so real in my life that I will make a conscious effort to turn my back 
to the sins of my past, and turn my attention to You. Thank You Jesus 
for making it possible for me to become a new person. Thank You 
Holy Spirit for Your presence in my life and the strength You give 
me to overcome the areas where I am weak.”

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