Blessed

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of mockers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2)

“We need to open everything up so people can get back to work. We have to get the economy going again.”

“We need to stay the course. We are not out of the woods. More people will die unless we continue to restrict our gatherings.”

I am not sure what camp you’re in. Regardless of what camp you find yourself in, there is more than enough “evidence,” “articles,” and “expert opinions” that will support whatever it is you already believe we ought to do about the Covid-19 pandemic.

With so many differing opinions it’s hard to get a handle on what’s happening. Who do we trust? Who are we supposed to believe?

“Blessed…” That’s the very first word of the Psalms. The Psalms are all about how we can live a life that is blessed. And we are given good counsel about how we can lived blessed lives in this confusing world, a world where we are never short of “expert opinions.”

“Blessed are you when you do not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of mockers; but instead delights in the law of the LORD day and night.”

The key is the law of the LORD. The key is God’s word.

It’s not that you ought not read or watch the news. It’s just that the news cannot be the only thing you read and watch. It’s not that you ought not listen to the “experts” or our neighbors. It’s just that everything ought to be read and interpreted through the lens of God’s word.

The way we go about interpreting the happenings in the world around us is through the lens of a God who loves us, a God who wants what is best for us, and a God who knows better than we do what is best for us.

This God not only knows better than us, but he has already made a way for us to live blessed lives by dying on the cross and paying the debt of sin by descending into hell for us. He not only paid for our debt of sin, but he rose again from the dead to show us how to live the blessed life!

Wow! That is amazing news!

That is the lens by which we are to “see” everything around us. Without this lens, we will always be lost, wandering, and wondering. The love of God expressed through the word of God is the lens that helps us to “see” the world around us.

So, whatever it is you are facing today, know God loves you. Nothing can keep you away from the love of God. That’s our starting point.

Have a blessed day!