Quite a few years ago, a cringy social media trend took over people’s captions and hashtags. We see people posting about their achievements, their joys, and their seemingly perfect lives, punctuated by hashtags like #blessed. But what does it truly mean to be blessed? And how does Psalm 119:1-8 guide us in understanding the concept of blessing in the context of God’s Word?
The Misconception of Blessing
Imagine Michael Scott, a fictional character from the NBC sitcom The Office. Michael is the regional manager of Dunder Mifflin. This character has a good job and outwardly seems content, yet there's an underlying sense of dissatisfaction. He craves admiration and inclusion but often finds himself the target of jokes and overlooked by others. Despite his attempts to project happiness, something feels missing. His narrative reflects numerous real-life situations where superficial happiness conceals underlying challenges.
Where Michael seems to fake his joy and happiness, Psalm 119 challenges us to reconsider what it means to be blessed. It delves into the idea that true blessing isn't found in fading circumstances or personal achievements, but in a life deeply rooted in God’s Word.
Walking, Seeking, and Keeping God’s Word
Psalm 119:1-8 presents a roadmap to true blessing through three key actions: walking, seeking, and keeping God’s Word.
1. Walking in the Law of the Lord
The psalmist begins by emphasizing the importance of walking in God’s ways (vv.1-3). This isn’t merely about physical steps, but a lifestyle characterized by obedience to God's Word. Genesis 17 provides a great picture of walking before the Lord:
When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you and may multiply you greatly.” Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.
Abraham is being asked to walk before the Lord (v. 1). The Lord uses Abraham as a representative who would be used to bless Israel and the nations. We see this covenant’s culmination in the New Covenant with Christ (Hebrews 8). Just as the Lord commanded Abraham to “walk before the Lord" in Genesis 17, we are to live a life that reflects God's Word in our lives (Ps. 119:1-3). It involves the reading, studying, memorizing, and application of Scripture in our lives.
2. Seeking Him with Your Whole Heart
Psalm 119:2 challenges us to seek the Lord with our whole hearts. This isn't a casual pursuit, but a relentless search driven by a deep desire to know and obey God. However, as Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us, our hearts are inherently deceitful and prone to wander:
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.
Seeking God wholeheartedly necessitates His transformative work within us, enabling us to pursue Him earnestly. Jeremiah 17 makes it clear that there is something wrong with our hearts. Our hearts are broken and deceitful. This means that for you and I to “seek the Lord with our whole hearts” we are gonna need help. For we are incapable of seeking the Lord unless the Lord transforms it.
3. Intentionally Keeping His Commands
Lastly, Psalm 119:4 underscores the importance of diligently keeping God’s commandments. This involves active obedience and guarding against complacency. It’s a commitment to aligning our actions with God’s Word daily, ensuring that our lives reflect His truth and grace. Contrary to the world’s messages about self-achievement and fleeting happiness, Psalm 119 directs us to a deeper source of fulfillment—obedience to God’s Word. It assures us that true blessing is found in God’s Word as it points us to Christ and His life, death, and resurrection.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Psalm 119 invites us to reevaluate our understanding of blessing and happiness. It challenges us to shift our focus from superficial trends and temporary pleasures to a lasting joy found in obedience to God. As we walk, seek, and keep His Word, we discover a profound truth: our ultimate happiness and fulfillment are intricately tied to our relationship with God. Let us, therefore, embrace the invitation of Psalm 119, knowing that true blessing is found in the transformative power of God's Word in our lives.
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