(Note: St. Augustine is famous for writing a book called “The Confessions,” which was written completely as a prayer to God. In the same spirit, I plan to write these posts as a prayer to God.)
“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)
Blessed is the man...
Father, I thank you for being a God who blesses your people. I thank you for blessing us even when we don’t deserve it. You make the sun shine, the rain come, the breeze blow upon both the wicked and the righteous.
Even though I don’t deserve it, I ask you to pour out your blessing upon me. I ask you to stir my heart to be grateful for the blessing you pour out—to stir my heart to delight in your blessings.
Lord, it’s hard to focus on your blessings at a time like this. Things are difficult. Things are changing. Help me not to focus only on what is wrong and difficult, but work in my heart to delight in your blessings.
I also ask that you would equip me to walk in the blessings you give, especially during this difficult season. Help me use your blessings for the good of others and for your glory.
…who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers…
Father, ask you to grand me wisdom to know who to listen to and who to ignore. There are so many ideas and opinions flying around. May you prevent me from being led astray and hold me fast in the truth. May I not embrace the counsel of the wicked, but hold faithfully to your Word.
Help me continue in fellowship with your people as we are separated. Help me be careful how much time I spend watching the news or social media. Help me not to get swept up in the panic and fear of the media.
Father, I ask that you guard my steps and watch over me so that I would walk in a way that brings you glory during this time. Rather than walking in the way of the world, I desire to walk in your way—on your path. Help me do that. Help me live as a Christian during these times.
…but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
Father, stir my heart to delight in your Word. I don’t want to simply read and understand your word, but I want my heart to embrace it with joy. I want my delight for your word to overcome any fear or anxiety in my heart. I want my heart inflamed as I open your Word and read it.
Yet, I want more than that. I want to delight in your Word to the point where I carry it with me throughout the day. Father, help me meditate on your word morning, noon, and night. Cause your Word to be always on my mind, my heart, and my lips. As I meditate on your word, drive those truths deep into my heart. May they provide a firm foundation for me in these uncertain times.
Blessed is the man...
Father, remind me what true blessedness is. Blessedness doesn’t come from being like the rest of the world. Blessedness doesn’t come from listening to the world’s advice. Blessedness comes from delighting in, and meditating on, who You are—revealed to us in Your word.
So, Father, through your word, remind me again who you are. Remind me that you are the God who saves. Remind me that you are the God who delivers his people. Remind me again that you are the God who walks with his people through deep waters. Remind me again that you are the God who has promised that he will never leave us nor forsake us.
Father, remind me of these things, then stir my heart to delight in them and carry them with me throughout the day. Help me see this as the Blessed life.
Amen.