Introduction
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” — Psalm 1:1-2
When troubles come isn’t it easy to get carried away and commiserate with everyone about it? You tell your story and you complain about “woe is me”. Then before you know it whomever you are commiserating with starts to give you advice on how you can “stick it to” someone. In the Bible a man named Job had a few friends like this when he fell into hard times. Have you read Job? It is so easy to get caught up in listening to someone who appears to be wise, yet consistently gives you ungodly advice, just like Job’s friends.
Seek the LORD
Yet in today’s verses we are reminded that blessings do not come to us when we seek the counsel of the ungodly and/or surround ourselves with ungodly and unhappy people. Instead we are told that we should seek the LORD and that we should look to His counsels (the Bible) and that we should do this all the time — day and night. God’s ways are how we should choose to deal with the issues of life. God’s ways are perfect; man’s ways are not. We have a choice to do things the way God wants us to do them or to listen to the imperfect ways of those in the world. Take a look at some other verses that remind us of how perfect and good the Word of the Lord is:
As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. (2 Samuel 22:31)
The words of the Lord are pure words:As silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. (Psalms 12:6)
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul:The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. (Psalms 19:7)
Every word of God is pure:He is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. (Proverbs 30:5)
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Daily in the Word
The only way we can seek and know God’s counsel is to be daily in the Word. When you love someone you spend time with them. When you love God you can spend time with Him by reading the words that He left for us in His Holy Bible. Just like the Berean Jews back in Biblical times we should accept the word of God with “readiness of mind” and search the scriptures daily to know what is true (Acts 17:10-11)
What kind of counsel do you seek when you have a troubling life circumstance? When you are a Christian, you should always seek only the counsel that comes from the word of God. We call that Biblical counsel. When you seek any other counsel, you are missing out on blessings.
Things to Think About and Do
1. Develop a plan to read your Bible every day. Start your plan today
2. Find at least one verse in the Bible (other than those listed above) that speaks of the blessings to those that diligently seek the Lord.
3. Read the Book of Job
