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Blessed Are . . .
How many times have we heard people promising us some aspect or version of the "blessed" life? It is the basis for most info commercials. There are no shortages of ideas, generally with a product associated with them for you to purchase, that claim to be able to deliver to you the "blessed" life. The self help industry represents about 11 billion dollars a year. Apparently people are interested, even if not always very discerning or wise. Blessed are . . . who?
In the midst of the "blessed are" industry, we still have these ancient but remarkably pertinent words from Psalm 1 which help us get a true grasp on what blessedness really is. What is the blessed life really all about? How does one go about living it? What does it look like? This is what Pastor Jon explores this morning as he reflects together with us on the first song in the songbook of ancient Israel - the book of Psalms.
As we listen to and reflect on the words in the Psalms, notice the images it portrays and the contrasts it draws. What surfaces for us here as us do so? Walking in step with. Standing in the place where. Sitting in the company of. What kinds of things do we orient our life to and around? In contrast, there are places for delight, reflection and drawing nourishment. The lives that emerge from the later are very different than what is shaped by the former.
What are the patterns and places from which we draw direction and nourishment? How does singing this song remind us of what is ultimately significant?
If you would like to listen to the sermon again, or perhaps for the first time, you can access our sermon library by clicking here. You can also access the live stream version of our sermon by clicking here.
Psalm 1
(NIV)
1 Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.
4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
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