Daily devotion – Being a blessing to others when we have been blessed.
Blessed to Be a Blessing
Psalm 1:1–3
“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. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 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.”
When God blesses us, it is so that we may become a blessing to others. If the blessings we receive simply remain with us, then the gifts can become more important than the Giver, and that is a form of idolatry.
God has never intended His blessings to terminate with us. Rather, He desires that we become channels through which His grace, love, encouragement, and provision flow to others. It is certainly a joy to receive a blessing, but according to the Lord Jesus, there is an even greater joy in being a blessing.
Acts 20:35 reminds us:
“…remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Throughout Scripture, the tree is a familiar image. At times it symbolizes a kingdom, as in Daniel’s prophecy; at other times it represents an individual. Here in Psalm 1, David compares the godly person to a tree planted by rivers of water.
Like a healthy tree, the godly believer is alive, fruitful, useful, and enduring. Yet the most important part of any tree is hidden from sight—its root system. Those unseen roots continually draw up water and nourishment, enabling the tree to flourish through every season.
So it is with the believer. The most important part of our Christian life is our hidden spiritual root system that continually draws upon the riches we have in Jesus Christ. This is what the Bible describes as abiding in Christ.
We cannot nourish ourselves apart from Him, nor can we effectively strengthen others unless we are first being strengthened by Him. Sometimes, especially during difficult seasons, husbands and wives look to one another to provide what only the Lord can supply. While spouses are called to encourage and support each other, there are burdens that only Christ can bear and needs that only He can meet.
To continually draw upon God’s strength, we must spend time each day meditating on His Word, praying, and enjoying fellowship with God’s people. Trees in nature may wither and die during harsh conditions, but the believer who abides in Christ remains spiritually fresh, green, and fruitful, regardless of the season through which they are passing.
Notice also that the tree does not eat its own fruit—others do. The fruit produced in our lives is for the blessing of those around us. Nor is fruit merely the same as visible results. Fruit contains within it the seed for more fruit. It is the overflow of God’s life working in and through us, producing eternal blessings in the lives of others.
Ultimately, the righteous person described in Psalm 1 finds his perfect fulfilment in the Lord Jesus Christ. He alone perfectly walked apart from sin, delighted completely in the Father’s will, and bore fruit continually for the glory of God and the blessing of mankind.
As Jesus declared:
John 14:6
“I am the way, the truth, and the life…”
As we abide in Him, His life flows through us, producing fruit that nourishes others and brings glory to God. May we never be content merely to receive God’s blessings, but may we joyfully become faithful channels through which His blessings reach a needy world.