This week our community group met and discussed Psalm 1, focusing on the Psalmist definition of "blessed". Is happiness core to blessing? Is security? Comfort? Should they be?

We discussed contentment amidst life's difficulty, and how God's Spirit in us does not mean we are free from loss or trial. Nor does our relationship with God mean we will always be happy. Look no further than Christ at Gethsemane for evidence of this fact.

God does not promise his followers comfort, security nor happiness, but He does offer abiding joy and hope.

What does it mean to be "blessed"? | Psalm 1

In Christ we have justification for hope: Jesus said he will come again, and wipe away every tear. Moreover, God's faithfulness combined with His sovereignty instills confidence in the believer, not that all will be easy, but that no matter the difficulty He will paint beauty with those ashes.

So being blessed does not mean, happiness, comfort and security, if it did then Christ in Gethsemane makes no sense. In truth, God's definition of "blessed" means so much more that our worldly understanding.

God's blessing, as outlined in Psalm 1, is closer to hope. It is confidence, peace and joy that will put steel in your spine when the diagnosis comes, or that job is lost.

Happiness is good, but joy is better. Happiness is fleeting, joy is lasting.

Let's read the scripture and then discuss further...

Psalm 1 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked

1 Blessed is the man[a]
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law[b] of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.

Footnotes:
Psalm 1:1 The singular Hebrew word for man (ish) is used here to portray a representative example of a godly person; see Preface
Psalm 1:2 Or instruction

God's definition of "blessing" may not be yours

Look at Psalm 1, or the life of Christ and his disciples, being "blessed" must mean more than just happiness, comfort and worldly security. Consider the metaphoric imagery in Psalm 1 verse 3, where the life of a blessed man is described. "He is like a tree, planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers."

From this passage we can extrapolate the following:

"like a tree" implies "set" where God placed us, "fixed and content", not fickle, nor aimless;
"planted by streams of water", as the tree has its required soil and water, we will have what nourishes us too;
"yields its fruit in its season", means we can confidently trust that God will use our lives in whatever way he sees fit, so that we "bear fruit" as He intends. And like the tree, we will not be fruitful by our efforts, but by the nature God wrote on our soul, as part of His sovereign will.
"its leaf does not wither", in the face of worldly death, we must conclude this refers to our eternal soul's flourishing.

Conclusion:

God's definitions often differ than our own, particularly as the world "evolves". In our pride and self-assurance, we define and redefine all that we see. Today our sensibilities tell us that marriage is not what God said, increasingly the world denies the distinction of man and woman... where does it end?

As Christians we have a source of power and wisdom in God's living Word. And as we look into Psalm 1 we see that God's defines blessing for us. The only lingering question is whether we come under His will in this, or whether we seek after our own definition of blessing.

My Prayer:

Lord help us be the sort of people that see with your eyes, and long for what you desire. Help us to trust in your ways, and follow after your call. Set us apart and pour us out for your glory and our greatest good. Fill us with your Spirit so that we might shine light into this dark world. We need you God. Show us the way.

As always, thank you for your time and attention. I hope you have an amazing day, God bless you and yours.