BLESSED IS THE MAN

“Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;” (Ps. 1:1 NKJV)

How happy and joyful it is to abstain from wickedness! Our counsel must come from God and certainly not from the ungodly who are against God (Pr. 1:5, 2:6, 19:21, 21:30). Do not consent to their wicked ways (Pr. 1:10, 14:12). We do not maintain ourselves in the way of sinners for that way leads only to death (Pr. 14:12). We should avoid that path altogether and stand on the path of the just (Pr. 4:14-19). Even when peer pressure is present, do not follow a crowd to do evil (Ex. 23:2). Do not give in to wickedness and dwell with the mockers. God is not mocked and what we show we will reap (Gal. 6:7-8).

A regress of events is seen in this first verse of the first Psalm from "walks", to "stands", to "sits" as it relates to ungodliness. This is how sin takes us backwards from God and why it must be dealt with swiftly. Let us determine in our hearts to walk after the Spirit and His teachings (Rm. 8:4; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pt. 1:20-21; 1 Cor. 2:10-13), to stand for Jesus and against the devil (Eph. 6:10-18), and to sit at the feet of Jesus to hear His Word (Lk. 10:39)!

My family is truly blessed to be a part of this congregation of the Lord’s people and look forward to another great year of laboring together! Happy New Year from the Thrashers.

Trent Thrasher