“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.
Foundation Scriptures: Psalms 1:1-4 (Amp.) Vs. 1 Blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. Vs. 2 But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.
Vs. 3 And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]. Vs. 4 Not so the wicked [those disobedient and living without God are not so]. But they are like the chaff [worthless, dead, without substance] which the wind drives away.
Blessing and prosperity come to those who delight in God and His Word and who meditate in it all day, every day. Notice the downward progression of the person who does not delight in God and His Word, as described in verse one. First, he walks in the counsel of the ungodly, following their advice. Then he stands, submissive, in the path of the sinners. Then he sits down, resting and relaxing, with the scornful and the mockers.
You cannot counsel with the ungodly. If you listen to them and take their advice, before you know it, you will be submitting to sinners and soon you will be joining in with the mockers, and you will be lost. You will begin to make decisions that send you on a downward spiral. For example, we know people who were once saved and excited about the Lord who began to fellowship with so-called Christians who criticized the church. Then they started in on the minister, then the move of God. Before long, they all were totally backslidden, and acting and living like the world. Be careful who you listen to—it is a slippery slide!
When you delight in God and His Word, you make a habit of reading, studying and meditating on His Word. The Hebrew meditate does not mean just “to think about it.” It has to do with speaking (muttering) to yourself. You need to take the scriptures and think on them, speaking them over and over to yourself. When you hear your own voice speaking the Word, it becomes reinforced in your heart.
2 Timothy 3:16, 17 (NKJV) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Meditating on the Word of God is profitable. It may bring correction and discipline, but if you will receive it, you will be made whole. When you receive God’s instruction, you will become thoroughly equipped to do what God has for you.
Jeremiah 17:7, 8 (NKJV) Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.
When you delight in God and His Word, you are blessed and prosperous in all seasons and at all times, no matter what happens to those around you. Trees do not produce leaves or fruit in drought, but when your roots are deep in the river of God, you never experience the drought or the killing heat. Your blessings are not dependent upon your surroundings, but God’s power is constantly at work in you. You will be fruitful constantly and consistently. Thank God for His Spirit and His Word.
