The verse in focus
This is our final part of study from the first three verses of Psalm 1. We are in Psalm 1, verse 3(b).
In Psalm 1- verse 1, we studied about the basic principle believers need to satisfy, to receive the understanding of the Word of God. This is the fear of God, an anointing of the Holy Spirit which enables a believer to walk away from sin, or evil.
In Psalm 1- verse 2, we studied that when we grow in this basic principle, the Lord will open to us the understanding of His Word, which will lead us to delight in His Word.
And when we delight in His Word, Psalm 1, verse 3(a) taught us that the Spirit Himself will work through us so that we may bear fruit. This is the only way we can be fruitful as required by the Lord in the New Testament Scriptures. In this concluding study, we will review Psalm 1- verse 3(b)
He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper – Psalm 1:3
Our focus will be on the last part of verse 3, where the Lord promises that whatever we do will be prosperous.
What is Prosperity?
Is the Lord promising us that any endeavor we take in this world will be prosperous? Is that feasible?
Let us understand the Word – in context of the Scripture.
This word prosperous, is Saleah in Hebrew, the first time the Scripture uses this word is in Genesis 24:21.
Abraham sends his servant to find a bride for his son Isaac. The servant had prayed for a very specific sign (Genesis 24:14) which will help him identify the bride. When he sees this specific sign come to fruition through Rebekah he asks the Lord – if the Lord is about to make his journey prosperous.
And the man, wondering at her, remained silent so as to know whether the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not –Genesis 24:21
This servant has gone out to find a bride for Isaac who was promised to carry the lineage of the Messiah. And this man is doing the work which the Lord has given him.
The question from this man is, will God make my way successful. Yes, the Lord will. Because he is doing the work of the Lord, within the will of the Lord.
All his ways will be prosperous.
Here are some more examples.
Genesis 39:2 | Joseph prospers in Egypt, this brings Jacob and his children to Egypt so that one day they may come out as a nation.
1 Chronicles 22:11 | David blessing Solomon that all his ways will be prosperous to build the tabernacle of God in Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 26:5 | Scripture tells us that Uzziah was prosperous as long as he sought the Lord God of Israel.
He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visons of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper. – 2 Chronicles 26:5
Scripture consistently uses this word in the same context. Men of God, walking in the will of God, doing the work of God, are prosperous in the things of God.
Do all things for glory of God!
In the New Testament, Scripture commands us that we should do all things for the Glory of God. It does not matter what we are doing, we should do it to the glory of God. How could that be feasible?
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:31
How can we do this? How can we eat for His glory? How can we do our day-to-day chores for His glory?
When we are walking in the ways of God, where the Lord Himself is making all our ways prosperous. That is when, whatever we do, we will do for the glory of God.
This is the promise which the Lord gave Joshua in Joshua 1:8, that when he meditates on the word of God day and night, when he observes to do all that God has taught him to do. Scripture assures him that all his ways will be prosperous.
“This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. – Joshua 1:8
The desires of your heart
Psalm 37 teaches us that when we delight in His Word, When we are seeking to learn about Him, through His Word, the Lord Himself will give us the desire for the things He will do in our life.
Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. – Psalm 37:4
This is how our will is aligned with the will of the Father. We do not have to guess what the Lord’s desire in our life is. The Lord says, He will give it to us when we seek Him through His Word.
This delight does not come from within, but rather it comes from above.
We are not delighting to do things of the flesh, but we delight to do the things of God. And when we do the things of God – Scripture assures us that all things will be prosperous. For we are walking in His Will, led by His Spirit.
In Summary
In summary – the first three verses of Psalm 1 teaches us the following key points
How to be led by the Spirit of God
How to sit at the Lord’s feet and remain in our first love
How to do all things for the Glory of God
How we are planted by God
How we can walk in His desire and His will
How we can bear fruit
How we can be exceedingly prosperous
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. – 3 John 1:2
This is prosperity – Men of God, walking in the will of God, doing the work of God, are prosperous in the things of God.
