33 The Blessed Man
The Blessed Man
"He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, which brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper." Psalms 1:3 The Book of Psalms exhibits true Christian experience under all its varieties. Here we may learn how Jesus felt, soliloquized, suffered, and rejoiced. The heart of the Son of Man is laid open. The varied experience of the "Man of Sorrows" is made known. Here also we have the experience of the believer under the Law — and in the enjoyment of the Gospel; under persecution — and in prosperity; in possession of ordinances — and deprived of them; in darkness — and in light; in strong confidence — and in doubt and fear.
We naturally turn to the Book of Psalms in dark and dreary days, because we always find a companion, and trace the footsteps of the flock; so also in joy and gladness, for no language will express our gratitude and praise, like the language we find in this book. This psalm describes man under God’s blessing — and contrasts him with man under God’s curse. Or, the saint walking consistently — and the sinner following the devices and desires of his own heart. We look, First, at the CHARACTER, as described by the exercise of his affections, and the course of his life.
1. In the exercise of the affections. He is one who loves God’s Word, he delights in it. To him it is a prize, a privilege, a paradise.
He loves God’s Word, and therefore must possess it. "My own Bible!" What a mercy to hold God’s Word in one’s hand, and be able to say this!
He loves it so as to peruse it. He may read other books; he must read this. He may read portions of another work; he must read the whole of this. It is to him among books, as Goliath’s sword was to David among weapons of war, who said, "There is none like it — give me that!"
He so loves it as to study it, and meditate upon it. Study is the exercise of the intellect, by which he seeks to know the meaning of the various words, sentences, and paragraphs; this is often like the winter’s light, clear but cold; useful — but not sufficient. Meditation is the exercise of the affections. It is spiritual mastication; and as frequent and thorough mastication of our natural food, is necessary to the health of the body; so is frequent and earnest meditation necessary to the health of the soul. David could meditate in it day and night. Meditation feeds the soul, directs the affections, animates the spirit, and causes us to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2. In the course of his life — he forsakes God’s foes, and keeps clear of their snares. He proves the truth of Solomon’s proverb: "He who walks with wise men will be wise — but the companion of fools shall be destroyed." He will not stand with the idle, or in the way of the profane. They may lose time, and peril eternity — but he will not. But, like Jesus, he must be about his Father’s business, and can say, "I must work the works of Him who sent me "into the world, redeemed me from among men, and called me by his grace, "while it is day; for the night comes, in which no man can work."
He will not walk with them sociably, or as a friend. He will do them good if he can; he must transact business with them — but he soon wearies of their company, and perhaps exclaims, "Gather not my soul with sinners;" and acts upon the divine command, "Come out from among them, and be separate." He will not sit with them as comfortable. He is not, cannot be, at home, in their society. He is a stranger with them, and a sojourner, as all his fathers were. He will stand with the upright, walk with the spiritual, and sit with the godly; but not with the profane, the carnal, and the depraved.
Secondly, his SITUATION. He is "like a tree planted by the rivers of water."
"Planted." This is the act of another. True religion is the work of God. He separates from the wild olive tree, and grafts into the good olive tree. He plucks us up out of nature’s soil — and plants us in the soil of grace. Hence believers are called, "Trees of righteousness, the right-hand planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified." When God plants — none can root up; but when others plant — God will surely uproot. Hence Jesus said," Every plant that my Heavenly Father has not planted — shall be rooted up." Being planted, he becomes rooted. False professors have no root in themselves, and in time of temptation they fall away. Paul speaks of believers, as rooted in Christ — rooted and built up in Him — as rooted and grounded in love. What a mercy to have the rooted in Jesus! We may have most painful infirmities, numerous imperfections, and a thousand causes for humiliation; but if we are rooted in Jesus, if we can say, "The root of the matter is found in me," all will be well at last. Being rooted, we have this advantage, abundant resources, "rivers of water." We have the means of grace, these are blessed; but we have the Spirit of grace, this is far more blessed. The means are like the flowery banks within which the waters flow, by which the waters are often guided; but the Spirit is the living water that flows through these. The banks, however excellent the soil, or well constructed, will not impart life, or make fruitful; the waters only can do this. Just so, the means, however scriptural and beautiful, will not satisfy the longing soul, or replenish the sorrowful soul; the Holy Spirit alone will do this. Blessed Spirit, so free, so abundant, so suitable are His gracious communications, that they may well be represented by "rivers of water;" and as enjoyed in this world, "rivers of water in a dry place."
Thirdly, the EFFECTS. Rich FRUIT, the fruits of the Spirit, "love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance."
Fruits IN SEASON; the active graces in prosperity; the passive graces in adversity. Fruits suited to health and sickness, poverty and plenty, peace and persecution, life and death. An ever-green profession. "His leaf also shall not wither." He is ever beautiful, ornamental, and useful. How many professors have we seen wither! They were not planted by the waters. They were not secretly and regularly supplied with communications of peace by the Spirit. They looked beautiful for a time — but, alas! they soon faded, withered, and died!
General prosperity. "Whatever he does — it shall prosper." Not every temporal thing, though this was very much the case, under the former dispensation, and is, up to a certain point, now. But in spirituals we may carry out the words to their utmost latitude; for Jesus has said, "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you." Mark the twofold abiding! We must abide in Jesus; no rambling, roving, or backsliding. His Words must abide in us — remembered, believed, pleaded. Then we may "expect whatever we ask." Or, whatever we do, shall prosper. Do we pray? we prosper. Do we fight? we prosper. Do we sow? we prosper. We obtain blessings, conquer our foes, and at the great harvest we "shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing our sheaves with us."
See, beloved, who are God’s favorites: such as avoid sin, are distinct from sinners, and commune much with Himself, through His own holy and most blessed Word.
See the effects of God’s blessing. When God blesses us — we are like a tree in a good soil, well watered — we are green, graceful, and fruitful; benefitting and blessing all about us.
See the proof that we enjoy our privileges. Not holy talk merely — but a holy walk. Not a mere profession — but a scriptural, ornamental, and useful profession.
See also, the fearful state of many professors. Are they like trees planted by rivers of waters? Alas, no! Do they bring forth fruit in season? Alas, no! See them in health — how vain, worldly, frivolous, and mirthful! See them in sickness — how fretful, impatient, and ready to complain! See them — but let each of us look at ourselves, into ourselves, and, O may we find evidence that we are the blessed of the Lord, who made Heaven and earth!
Reader, what are you? A Christian, in union with Christ, rooted in him, built up in him, deriving your supplies and stability from him? Or, Are you a mere worldly character, without Christ, a stranger to communion and fellowship with Christ? No questions can be more important, for you are either the blessed of the Lord Almighty; or you are under His curse, and exposed to his wrath. Trifle not with a matter so solemn. Delay not to examine into a subject so important. It is for eternity, and eternity stamps the greatest importance on everything connected with it. O if you should be found among those of whom Jesus said, "Bind them in bundles, and burn them! "Rather, may He say, "Gather the wheat into My barn!"