BLESSED IS THE MAN

Lesson 1

Trademarks of the Blessed Man

TEXT:  Psalm 112:1-10  

I. INTRODUCTION  

A. Nine times in Psalms we read the phrase “Blessed is the man that…” or “Bless is that man…”

1. Study will focus on these phrases in Psalms  

B. Blessed means more than happiness

1. Happiness is temporary (fleeting)

2. Happiness is circumstantial

3. Blessedness is a joy and peace that is not affected by circumstances—it’s not temporary but lasting

4. Blessedness abides when circumstances are not favorable and even downright contrary  

C. The 111^th and 112^th Psalms are considered to be twin Psalms

1. Both have same verses

2. Both have same phrases

3. In the Hebrew language these chapters are acrostic

a. The first letter of each verse matches the first letter of the verse in the other chapter

4. Both Psalms begin with “Praise ye the Lord”

a. 111 extols the Lord and tells of His mighty works and glorifies Him

b. 112 tells of the effect of the work of God in a man who fears Him and loves His commandments

5. 111 says, “Blessed be God” and 112 says “Blessed be the righteous man”

6. 111 speaks of the Father and 112 speaks of the children

7. Spurgeon said that the 112^th is to the 111^th what the moon is to the sun

a. The sun shines and has the energy and the glory and the moon reflects that

8. 111 tells of the glory of the Father while 112 tells of the reflection of that glory in a man who will fear God and love His words

II. FAME AND FORTUNE FOR THE BLESSED MAN – Vs. 2-3  

A. Earthly fame and fortune seem to have been a real part of the old covenant

1. Many times, fame and material wealth were directly associated with the blessings and approval of God.

2. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were men of personal wealth

3. David, Solomon and other good kings were also very wealthy

4. God told Israel He would prosper them materially for obedience

a. Deut 7:12-13

5. Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua: these are all names the world knows  

B. The blessed man of the New Testament receives fame and fortune of another sort – vs 2

1. No one looks at the typical God-fearing man and says, “He is mighty on the earth”

a. The world’s best and godliest preachers are no-names as far as the world is concerned and many are dirt poor

b. The world is not interested in a man like that; they want entertainment

2. We do not and should not expect earthly riches for serving and fearing God

a. Jesus never taught us to expect material wealth for fearing Him

(1) John 10:10b I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

(a) People build entire churches around this verse

(b) If you are not driving a Cadillac and wearing gold on every finger, both wrists and ears then you’re out of God’s will

(2) Just look at Jesus’ life

(a) He didn’t even have a place to call home

(b) He didn’t have great wealth

(c) He didn’t drive a nice car

(d) He didn’t have expensive jewelry

(3) Look at the apostles’ lives

(a) Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

i. In the minds of these abundant life people, Peter was out of the will of God

(b) Paul had to rely on the burden of Christians to supply him with his daily needs

i. Was Paul out of God’s will?

b. We should not expect anything that Jesus or His closest followers didn’t have  

C. There is fame and wealth greater than sports heroes and Hollywood stars know

1. Fame = known of God and rewarded of God

2. Wealth = heavenly treasures

3. 2 Cor 6:4-10 – a great example

4. Fame and fortune may lead to temporary happiness but they do nothing to give a man blessedness

III. GENEROSITY AND DISCRETION ARE TRADEMARKS OF THE BLESSED MAN–Vs 4,5 & 9  

A. Blessed be the man that finds a way to be generous – vs. 4b, 5a & 9a

1. Spurgeon said the blessed man is not a borrower, for God has lifted him above that.  Neither is he a hoarder, for the divine nature spares him of that temptation.

a. Hoarding is different from saving

(1) Hoarding is keeping all

(2) Saving is keeping a portion after you have given

2. The blessed man is one who gives, lends and has compassion

3. Not only talking of monetary or material things

a. Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

b. Not everyone has great financial means; but those can give spiritually

(1) They can witness, help carry a burden, pray, talk, listen…  

B. The blessed man will guide his affairs with discretion (discernment; judgment) – vs. 5b

Those who neglect their worldly business must not plead religion as an excuse, for when a man is truly upright he exercises great care in managing his accounts, in order that he may remain so. It is sometimes hard to distinguish between indiscretion and dishonesty; carelessness in business may become almost as great an evil to others as actual knavery (dishonesty); a good man should not only be upright, but he should be so discreet that no one may have the slightest reason to suspect him of being otherwise. When the righteous man lends he exercises prudence, not risking his all, for fear he should not be able to lend again, and not lending so very little that the loan is of no service. He drives his affairs, and does not allow them to drive him; his accounts are straight and clear, his plans are wisely laid, and his modes of operation carefully selected. He is prudent, thrifty, economical, sensible, judicious, discreet. Men call him a fool for his religion, but they do not find him so when they come to deal with him. “The beginning of wisdom” has made him wise, the guidance of heaven has taught him to guide his affairs, and with half an eye one can see that he is a man of sound sense. Such persons greatly commend godliness. Alas, some professedly good men act as if they had taken leave of their senses; this is not religion, but stupidity. True religion is sanctified common sense. Attention to the things of heaven does not necessitate the neglect of the affairs of earth; on the contrary, he who has learned how to transact business with God ought to be best able to do business with men. – Spurgeon

1. Discretion ought to govern all our activities

IV. UNAFRAID AND FIXED IS HOW THE BLESSED MAN STANDS  

A. The blessed man has his heart fixed; he is trusting in the Lord – vs 7b

1. Fixed: This means he made a decision to trust God and nothing will move him

a. Stonewall Jackson; Battle of Bull Run; Gen Bee spoke to Jackson about his troops falling back and regrouping with Jackson’s; Bee told his men “Look yonder!  There are Jackson and his brigade standing like a stone wall.  Let us determine to die here, and we will conquer.  Rally behind them!”

b. Daniel 6

(1) Presidents and princes got King Darius to sign a decree that all men for 30 days should only pray to Darius and anyone going against this should be put into the lion’s den

(a) Daniel knew of this and continued doing what he had always done--Dan 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

(b) Dare to be a Daniel! Dare to stand alone! Dare to have a purpose firm! Dare to make it known!

2. As though one day he decided God was trustworthy and said, “OK, no matter what, I am trusting God.”

3. The decision needs to be made that in any circumstance of life, God is dependable, so whatever happens, the response is to trust in God!  

B. Therefore, evil tidings do not make him afraid – vs 7a & 8a

1. The unbeliever lives in fear of the collapse of worldly things

a. Vs 10

b. Global warming is the big fear nowadays—it’s foolishness

2. But the believers sees differently

a. The dollar collapses and the believer says “But my God shall supply all your need…” Phil 4:19

b. War threatens and the believer says, “Why do the heathen rage and the people imagine a vain thing…” Psalm 2

c. Disease or plagues arise and the believer says, “There shall be no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.” Psalm 91:10

d. A loved one has cancer and the believer says, “And we know that all things work together for good…” Rom 8:28

3. Could such reactions be? Yes!

a. Job 1: “Job your children, servants, camels, sheep and oxen are all dead!”  Job replies, “The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

V. CONCLUSION  

A. Heavenly fame and fortune await the blessed man  

B. The blessed man is known for his generosity and discretion  

C. Standing firm on the Rock is where you’ll find the blessed man