Who doesn’t want a blessing? Sometimes you have to dig to find them in a situation . . . sometimes, like Jacob, you have to wrestle until you limp in order to secure one . . . and sometimes, they are just handed to you and all you need to do is make sure you’re in the right place . . .

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:1-2 ESV)

Sometimes we go looking for the blessing in all the wrong places. Without really thinking, we’ll assemble with, and listen to the wisdom of, those who arrogantly scorn the things of a kingdom they are ignorant of . . . thinking that with these “learned ones” there might be some new insight which leads to a blessing. We might be drawn to stand and join hands with those who, while perhaps wanting to do what is right, define “right” by what is right in their own eyes while denying the One who is righteousness. And some, in order to find that elusive blessing, will walk in the ways of a world intent on feeding it’s depraved nature . . . societal norms being accepted as the way of happiness . . . modern enlightenment and freedom mined for gems of fulfillment . . . all of which, at the end of day, far from brining a blessing, results in “chaff that the wind drives away” (1:4).

But the blessing is not found in following the ways of a wayward world. Instead it is found by focusing our hearts desires . . . by setting our face toward ground where we can put down deep roots . . . by believing that the source of blessing is in the law of the LORD. What a great reminder as I kick off my reading plan for another year.

A new year is a great time for a new determination to sit in the seat of the Spirit of Truth’s teaching . . . to stand in the ways of the Savior’s kingdom . . . to walk in the counsel of the Sovereign God of all creation. And there . . . to expect to find a blessing.

Oh, that I might delight in the law of the LORD . . . that to open my Bible in the morning would be more than just a good habit, but it would be the first pleasure of the day. That working through my reading plan would not just be about checking the boxes but be about satisfying a longing . . . a thirsting . . . a hungering . . . for the living and active word of God. That, as I read, the words wouldn’t just flow through as through a sieve (although, as I was once encouraged, I’d at least have a clean sieve), but that they would be in reality living water and heavenly food . . . real sustenance . . . suitable for real growth.

Who doesn’t want to be like a tree planted by streams of water (1:3) . . . established on solid ground . . . fertile soil into which thick roots can sink deep? What a blessing. Who doesn’t want to fulfill their calling . . . make good use of their gifting . . . and yield fruit aligned with the intent of Him who has crafted us as “His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand” (Eph 2:10)? That would be a blessing. And who doesn’t want the stamina to weather the storm . . . the endurance to walk the valleys when they come . . . to rest assured that their “leaf does not wither” when they encounter the crucible’s heat of life’s trials? Uh . . . a blessing! Who doesn’t want a game plan that guarantees that “in all he does, he prospers” . . . that, when we give an account of how we have built on the foundation of Christ’s redeeming work on our behalf, there’ll be much gold, silver, and precious stones (1Cor. 3:11-15) . . . and we’ll hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant . . . enter into the joy of your Master” (Matt. 25:21). Talk about your blessing!

So I open the Word . . . and ask that the Word would open me . . . and that by the grace of God . . . and for the glory of God, alone . . . I might know the blessing . . . amen?