The word for this week is "blessed". Here are the verses we'll be looking at:
Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. KJV
Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord: and the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance. KJV
Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusts in Him. KJV
Psalm 84:4 Blessed are they that dwell in Your house: they will be still praising You. Selah. KJV
Psalm 112:1 Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that fears the Lord, that delights greatly in His commandments. KJV
This is the Hebrew word "'esher". Strong's Concordance says: happiness. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: blessed; happy; and "Basically, this word connotes the state of "prosperity" or "happiness" that comes when a superior bestows his favor (blessing) on one. In most passages, the one bestowing favor is God Himself!" We see above that we receive this happiness and prosperity when we avoid certain things, when we trust in Him, when we fear the Lord (reverence and respect), when we delight to obey His Word; and nations are blessed when they make the One, True God, THEIR God! That IS how the United States began and that is why we have been the most blessed nation on the planet! Look at Psalm 1:1 from the Amplified Bible:
Psalm 1:1 BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. AMP
The next time you hear the word "blessed", think "happy, prosperous and enviable (or to be envied)"! I am going to use a confession that I have heard your father-in-law say to other people: "YOU are the most blessed person I know!" As you continue to become the man of God that He has called you to be, you and your family will walk in that most-blessed status! And I have been most blessed watching you grow in Him! Here is an older song from Hillsong that has been influenced by Psalm 84 above! I've used it before and it is called simply "Blessed"!
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
