“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.” Psalm 1:1

Do you want a blessed life? Psalm 1:1 begins with words of wisdom that lead to “the blessed life.” The word blessed in this verse can be described as the happy life or the good life. The woman who wants a happy, blessed, and good life will refrain from three things. Picture these three things in your mind as you read them – “…does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.“ (Psalm 1:1). There is a progression of compromise the blessed woman avoids, and it involves walking, standing and sitting.

Walking refers to casually listening to and taking the advice of the wicked. The wicked are those who leave God out or who live as if God doesn’t exist. Following the guidance of these people is a sure way to miss out on “the blessed life.” Standing means lingering with or hanging out with sinners. Spending too much time with those who don’t follow God’s ways can influence you toward sin, and sin is not part of the blessed, happy, and good life. It promotes the opposite…a sorrowful and troubled life. Sitting is the final position, and it indicates resting, relaxing, and settling into a permanent dwelling with mockers. Mockers are scoffers or those who verbally oppose God and His Word. For such a person, there is no blessed life.

Can you see the progression of compromise as one walks over to casually listen, then stands around lingering and finally takes a seat to stay awhile? When you are tempted to “just casually” listen to the advice of the world, the culture, or those living without God…stop and immediately turn the other way. It may seem harmless, but according to Psalm 1:1, it’s the first step of compromise and the first step away from the blessed life. To enjoy the blessed, happy, and good life God intended, remember this – blessed is the woman who does not flirt with compromise, who does not entertain the world’s ways, who does not seek advice from non-believers, and who does not get cozy with the anti-God culture.

REFLECT

Look back over the last few months of your life. Do you notice any areas of compromise? Are you walking, standing, or sitting in ungodly places? What can you do right now to turn around and walk towards the blessed, happy, and good life? (Hint read Psalm 1:2)

Many Blessings,

JJ Gutierrez

Average Christian Gal Who Loves Jesus & the Bible