Good Idea

Psalm 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Jeremiah 17:8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

Very similar verses are they not? Jeremiah’s words are just a little more expansive than Psalm 1 but is a good point which I am surprised has not been pointed out more than twice. Both use the same lead in phrase, “Blessed be the man”. At that point they differ.

Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.

The difference here is 1:1 is all about obedience, action, the avoidance of error. 17:7 is faith based, in trusting and believing God will enact His will and keep His promises. Both are blessed but the first, Psalm 1:1 is a conditional blessing and Jeremiah 17:7 is an unconditional blessing.

If you give me a choice between conditional blessings and unconditional blessings, I’ll pick the unconditional, thank you very much.

John 1:12,13-16 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

Having received His fullness, there is nothing to be done, nor left undone, for God has accomplished in that moment all that is required. God did it, unconditional blessings. Praise the Lord.

One thought on “Good Idea”

  1. Your picking God’s unconditional…..is a Good Idea! I love it! I’m so thankful that God’s bountiful blessing doesn’t depend on my faulty obedience. I wouldn’t even have come to know Jesus as my Savior if it had been totally left up to me.
    Thank you for this great message, Larry……our God is ALL in ALL!!! Bless His Holy Name.

    GOOD IDEA!

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