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.

Daniel 3:5-6 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

Daniel 4:33  The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.

Daniel 4:37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

Consider the extraordinary encounter that Nebuchadnezzar had with our Sovereign God. He was made to act and eat as an ox. Physical changes as well as his mental state were evident.

Galatians 6:7 a Be not deceived; God is not mocked:

But rather than destroy old Nezzar God used him to glorify Himself. I cannot help but thank God that He showed Himself strong in me, rather than taking me out of this life. While you might want to defend me, that I was not doing as Nebuchadnezzar, in fact I did. I set up worship of another besides the God of Heaven, myself.

God made Himself known unto me in a sovereign moment, although not so drastic as being forced to act like an ox. Yet He made himself clear. “I am God and I can do with you as I will.” That was a sobering moment. Does it happen to everyone? I hope not. I was arrogant, proud and stubborn beyond reason. So God had to take drastic measures with me. I was humbled.

Does God have to go thru such drastic actions to get your attention? Or will you be reasonable?

Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.