Are you a person who likes things broken down into simple steps to attain a goal? There are hundreds of “How to” books on the market today: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential, 5 Steps to Fighting Stress, 3 Steps to Clutter-free Living, etc. For just about any issue you’re facing, you can find a solution book broken into steps for you. Whether they work or not remains to be seen.
God’s Word is also a “How to” book and tells us how to live a blessed life. I don’t know about you, but I would put much more stock in God’s steps for success than any other writer.
I love the Psalms but Psalm 1 is forever marked in my mind because of my son. When Sam was just 6 years old he attended a Christian school and he had to memorize Psalm 1 for school. He practiced and practiced and with boldness and conviction would recite it for me. He recited the things a blessed person would do and then switch to the things a sinner would do in verse 4. When he got to verse 4 his facial expression would turn sour and he would get louder as if he was put out with this type of person. He would be so serious it would make me laugh. I believe God’s expression changes when He looks upon sinners too, but not to disgust, rather sorrow for all they are missing.
If you read Psalm 1 you’ll find a God’s favor rests on those who are obedient to His Word and experience relationship with Him. I love how the first 3 verses read in the Message:
How well God must like you- you don’t hang out at Sin Saloon, you don’t slink along Dead-End Road, you don’t go to Smart-Mouth College. Instead you thrill to God’s Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. You’re a tree planted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, never dropping a leaf, always in bloom.
Not only does this type of lifestyle bring joy to the Lord, it brings blessing to you. The NIV starts out “Blessed is the man who…”
If you want blessings from the Father, then live the way of blessings. Andy Stanley addresses this point in his book, The Principle of the Path. Find what you want out of life and then get on the fast track to that destination. No one lives a blessed life by accident. They are intentional in their choices and actions that lead them to blessing.
God’s given you a book filled with steps to reach your goal; however, there are not Cliff notes or Spark notes to it and it takes more than reading the book to make it a reality in your life. You have to apply what you read to your daily life.
Do you want the life of blessing? Then be intentional with your choices. Invest in the Word and develop an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. When you do, you’ll be blessed beyond measure.