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.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Whilst debating the validity of the resurrection, Paul sternly rebuked the Christians in Corinth for their ignorance and warned them that bad company ruins good morals as this was most likely to be one of the reasons for their recklessness (1Corinthians 15:33). It is very true that the company we keep have the potentials of influencing us either positively or negatively.
The first chapter of the book of Psalms instructs us about the way to achieve true happiness (or blessedness) in life. The first verse identifies three positions that can determine whether or not one is happy or blessed.
I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
The earth, O
LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.
The prophet Malachi says that those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who feared Him and esteemed His name.
It is hugely helpful to keep company with God‘s people as this motivates us to righteous living, good works and diligence in serving the Lord since it enhances our consistent focus on Christ, as we set our affection on things above. Ultimately, this brings unquantifiable happiness now and in the hereafter.
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.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
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.
The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
The Bereans were commended for being of more noble character than those of Thessalonica because they searched the scriptures daily. According to Psalm119: 1, 2: 'Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their hearts'. True happiness is embedded in meditating on God's words regularly as it is a veritable way of seeking the Lord and it provides a sound basis for applying the principles of God's words to one's life thus helping one to walk and live in a manner that is pleasing to God.
When Joshua was commissioned to lead Israel after the death of Moses, he was told not to disregard the book of God's law, but to ensure that he meditated in it on a daily basis as this was to guarantee him success in his role. To love God is to love His words. To live a fulfilled life is to live according to God's words. The first chapter of the Psalms expresses the blessedness of the person whose delight is in God's law.
This individual meditates daily on the words of God. His fruitfulness (or accomplishment) is likened to a tree planted by the streams of water. This implies that this blessed man or woman of God is constantly connected to the Source of life and blessedness and just as the tree that is close to the streams of water never lacks, the blessed one of God will never be lacking in any spiritual virtue. Let us therefore choose today to look constantly into the perfect law of liberty.
