Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in Yahweh’s law. On his law he meditates day and night.

A truly blessed believer is one who successfully avoids the “counsel of the ungodly.” We lose our way in the Lord when we listen to the call of the world and are deaf to the call of God. We cannot avoid the world, after all we live in it, but we strive to avoid complicity in its schemes. Many conspire for worldly gain and plot ways to grow in personal power. A blessed believer finds peace and satisfaction drinking at the Fountain of the Lord. True peace is known when abiding in Him.

Ungodly counsel comes in many forms. Bad advice comes at us from all directions all the time. God’s counsel is to avoid the ways of the world. He consistently advises us to seek Him first. He tells us what is true and righteous in His Word. He favors religion that cares for orphans, widows and avoids the schemes of the world.

Others see the Light that is in us by our behavior. The world judges us by what we say or do and condemns us by what is said and done. It is an ungodly act to condemn any man, yet we are guilty of that. God is good to all men. Men are not.

We are to teach with gentleness and kindness. We are unable to convince anyone as that is the responsibility of the Holy Spirit. In everything we say and do our association with Christ is examined by others. The ways of the world are set aside for His sake.

Mockery and scorn are the ways of the world. We should practice neither. God’s Word is clear that we should be eager to present the evidence of our faith, but it is equally clear that we are limited by our ability. It’s appropriate to leave the mockery to the mockers. Neither should we “sit in the seat of the scornful.”

It is our call to evangelize. “Go and make disciples of all the nations,” Jesus said. Go where the sinner is, but don’t get comfortable there.

There is only one true state of happiness. Happiness, the kind of happiness that matters; that is persistent; that stands in the storms of trial; that never leaves is the happiness that comes from knowing God. I was taught by a dear pastor that once I began to really read God’s Word and meditate on what the Holy Spirit revealed to me I would never again be satisfied. He said, “You’ll think there are not enough hours in the day to read and to do all you want to do in His name.” He also said, “God doesn’t know time as we think of it. God will make time for you.”

Day and night; in your waking hours and during your dreams while sleeping meditate on God’s Word. Be blessed today.