Key scripture – “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!” (Psalm 1:1).

“Blessed”—that is how God wants your life to be!

God wants to bless you more than you can even imagine, and this Psalm tells you how you can live your life in the path of God’s blessing.

This first verse tells you what you have to watch out for if you want your life to be full of God’s blessing. God’s message to you in this devotional today is to do whatever you can to avoid being shaped by the world view of people who embrace a godless life. Love them, but be careful!

This is what God tells us to do to avoid being shaped by the world view.

Don’t “walk in their counsel”. This part of your character is put first, because those that will keep the commandments of God must say to evil-doers get away from me. “Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God!” (Psalm 119:115). That is, don’t let them influence you and shape what you think about life and what is important to You and to God. Don’t let them set your value system!

Our biggest exposure to the counsel of the wicked is the media. Do you watch TV shows that are real funny, but which subtly make you comfortable with sensuality and sin in your life? Do you listen to music that is full of filthy language and violent themes? Let them go. Stop walking in their counsel.

Don’t “stand in their path”. Don’t start down the path of accepting sin in your life. Don’t be influenced by the behavior of sinful people around you. Do not do as they do or let their way become your way. Let your faith conquer the sin instead of their sin conquering you.

“Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble. They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.” (Proverbs 4:14-17).

If you don’t guard yourself in the areas of where you walk and where you stand, soon you’ll find yourself “sitting in the seat of scoffers” and instead of following God’s Word you will be doubting it and making fun of those who do follow His Word. A scoffer openly defies God and His Word, scoffs at it, and jest and brags about sin.

“Even on their beds they plot evil; they commit themselves to a sinful course and do not reject what is wrong.” (Psalm 36:4).

So what should we be doing? A blessed person does that which is good, delights in the Law of the Lord, and meditates on it day and night. “But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.” (Psalm 1:2).

Are you ready to be blessed? If so, do not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of scoffers. Instead, meditate on and follow the Word of God.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, forgive me for any tendency that I have to compromise my faith in order to fit into the world around me. Father, I want to walk in complete obedience to You and Your Word because that is where I get my strength, peace, and joy. All that the world will ultimately give me is heartache and destruction. I know that if I choose to sin m, I choose to suffer. I will not fret about or envy evil people. I will trust in You and enjoy safe pasture, my righteous reward will shine as bright as the dawn, my vindication will shine like the noon day sun, and my Lord and Savior, Jesus, will be glorified. That is why David said in Psalm 37, “Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.” (Psalm 37:1-6). Father, I want to live my life in obedience to Your Word and bring glory to Your Name. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.