Blessed is the Man

Life continues to be full of surprises in a world that is ever changing around us. This semester has brought about more change than I ever thought possible, one thing after another. But as Christmas draws closer and school winds down God continues to work. It’s been ruff but God has started to graciously give me some light from the end of the tunnel. God has worked perfectly in two big situations that I was dealing with in just the spam of three days (Dec.1-Dec.3). God’s timing is always perfect. He will always be gracious and loving towards His children. He knows what we need and He will provide. He always brings about glory and honor to His name. He calls us to be patient and trust in Him. In both of these situations I felt like there were things that I could do to fix them. But God showed me yet again that I can do nothing and that He will do everything. Of course God doesn’t call us to sit back, but sometimes He does. That takes the form of prayer, pray hard. Pray as if that’s what we can to do to fix things. And isn’t it? Prayer is the MOST important thing we can do in ANY situation, may we never forget it. I fall short too often and forget more than I should to pray to my Savior who seeks that from me. God wants to know our requests! He wants to hear our voices! I look forward to the workings of God in everything else in my life :)

Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Seeing how God has been working in my life just reminds me of how blessed I am. I have a Father that would do all these things because He loves me so much and only wants the best for me. I am a very blessed man. The Bible has 17 verses that say “Blessed is the man…” These verses give a clear representation of what it means and takes to be a blessed man and woman. If we want God’s blessing in our lives then lets take a look at what God says a blessed man is…

Psalm 1:1-2 “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.”

Psalm 32:2 “How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity,
And in whose spirit there is no deceit!” 

Psalm 34:8 “O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”

Psalm 40:4 “How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.”

Psalm 84:5 “How blessed is the man whose strength is in You, In whose heart are the highways to Zion!”

Psalm 84:12 “O LORD of hosts, How blessed is the man who trusts in You!”

Psalm 94:12 “Blessed is the man whom You chasten, O LORD, And whom You teach out of Your law;”

Psalm 112:1 “Praise the LORD! How blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who greatly delights in His commandments.”

Psalm 127:5 “Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.”

Proverbs 3:13 “How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding.”

Proverbs 8:34 “Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my doorposts.”

Proverbs 28:14 “How blessed is the man who fears always, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.“

Isaiah 56:1-2 “Thus says the LORD, Preserve justice and do righteousness, For My salvation is about to come And My righteousness to be revealed. How blessed is the man who does this, And the son of man who takes hold of it; Who keeps from profaning the sabbath, And keeps his hand from doing any evil.”

Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD And whose trust is the LORD.”

Romans 4:8 “BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.”

Romans 14:22 “The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself in what he approves.”

James 1:12  “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

A key theme throughout is TRUST in the LORD. A blessed man and woman is someone who trusts God. Easy to say but not always easy to do. Our actions too often show that we don’t trust Him. May we strive more than anything to place our whole hope and trust in Christ. God will bless us. It may not always be in the ways we want but it will certainly be in the ways we need. Which ultimately will always work better than what we ever could have imagined. God wants us to cling to him and persevere. He will always bring us up and into a stronger relationship and love for Him. What an amazing God we serve! Praise Him and thank Him everyday for the numerous blessings He has given us! We are blessed, don't ever forget it!

What other themes can you see that define a blessed man/woman?

Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

Matthew 21:22 “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

I am a very blessed man. Thank You Lord for loving me so hard. May I always love you more than anything and prove it.