“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season; its leaf will not wither, and whatever he does will prosper” (Ps. 1:1-3) That is the Lord’s picture of a blessed man or woman. It is our call in this month of Sh’vat, to be like a tree. Let us learn as we turn our gaze upon the tree in Psalm 1 and taste the fruit of its branches.
What does it mean to be a blessed man or woman? Psalm 1 tells us those who delight and meditate on God’s Word are blessed. Just a reminder: blessed means “happy!” Who doesn’t want that? There are people who think God wants us to be miserable. But lo and behold! He is giving us the secret to happiness in His Word.
In the natural, reading the Bible seems like the last place someone would go to find happiness. But there is a secret here. The Lord uses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise (1 Cor. 1:27). He says if we read His Word and meditate on it, it will bring us delight and peace.
How can a book make someone joyful? The Bible is no ordinary book. It is the Word of God. It is the Book of Life. It is alive and active because He is living and active. Yeshua is the Word, and true peace is found in Him. As it is written, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:1-4). When we are a child of God and have the Spirit of God living in us, our hearts are open to receive His Word. He is our very life and our true peace. By the way, Asher is the tribe connected to this month, whose name literally means “happiness!”
As we continue reading, we see that blessed is the man who is firmly planted. Being established brings security. Having roots that go deep brings stability. The Lord knows happiness comes when we are rooted in Him. The Word tells us if we are rooted in righteousness, we will not be moved (Prov. 12:3). What does that mean? Righteousness means to be in “right standing” with God. None of us is born in right standing with God. There is only one who is in right standing with Him and that is the Messiah Jesus, His Son.
We could never obtain righteousness on our own. So how do we get it? Jesus extends His righteousness to us. When Jesus shed His blood on the cross, a divine exchange took place. He became sin who knew no sin, that we may become His righteousness. When we accept His blood shed on our behalf, we take on His righteousness. This right standing brings peace with God and a firm foundation in Him, allowing our roots to go down deep and our hearts to overflow with His joy!
As we continue in Psalm 1, we notice this tree is happy because it is firmly planted by streams of water. A watered tree is a happy tree. Likewise, a watered man is a happy man. Psalm 1 specifically says these are streams of “living waters.” Living waters in Hebrew are called “mayim chaim.” This is the Spirit of God. His Spirit brings true refreshment and happiness to our body, mind and soul. His living waters even flow over our heads this month, as seen in the constellation Aquarius. Aquarius is called the “Water Bearer”, a picture of the living waters of His Spirit which He offers to us in Sh’vat. The heavens do truly declare the glory of the Lord!
As Psalm 1 concludes, we learn the blessed tree is fruitful and does not wither. It is prosperous in all its ways. How can a tree be prosperous? It bears fruit. What does a happy and blessed tree look like? Its leaves do not wither because it is properly connected and nourished by its source of life. It stands firm in storms. It provides shelter and shade for others. That is the picture of a blessed man. A fruitful man. A rooted man. It has been said that the fruit is in the root. The root of righteousness is Christ. Rooted in Him, we are blessed and yield a harvest for Him and others.
Do you long to be like the happy tree in Psalm 1? All you have to do is check your positioning. This month, take time to read and meditate on His Word, especially Psalm 1, and see how being in His Word brings happiness. Be sure to dip your heart in the streams of life and be refreshed by His Spirit. Are you bearing fruit? We are known by our fruit. If we are positioned correctly in Him, the fruit of the Spirit will be evident in our lives. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control” (Gal 5:22-23a). In Sh’vat, go forth in Him, as a happy, secure, blessed man who is like that Psalm 1 tree, bringing refreshment and shade to others. {eoa}
Christine Vales is an author and teacher of His Appointed Times: Hebrew /Gregorian Calendar & Journal and has been blessed with the privilege of uncovering the Lord’s prophetic calendar, teaching others how to connect with His ancient timepiece in real time in their lives. Christine sends forth her creative monthly Chalkboard Teachings on YouTube and social media, and also goes forth teaching at live gatherings, large and small, all to draw hearts closer to The Ancient of Days Himself—truly, our times are in His hands (Ps. 90:12).
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