BLESSED IS THE MAN... YEAR 2024 SAFETY PRECAUTION TO VICTORY.

 BLESSED IS THE MAN... YEAR 2024 SAFETY PRECAUTION TO VICTORY.


Blessed is the person who does not follow the advice of wicked people, take the path of sinners, or join the company of mockers. (Psalm 1:1)


The psalmist warned against three forms of people we must avoid if we want to be blessed: the wicked, the sinners, and the mockers.


The wicked are known for their counsel. Their greatest strength lies in the counsel they give. Take the example of Balaam. He couldn't curse the people of Israel or destroy them because they were blessed, but he gave Balak counsel that caused the Israelites to lose favor with God. "Behold, these people caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD" (Numbers 31:16). Balaam's evil counsel led the protected and fortified Israelites to succumb to the sin of fornication. Be cautious of the counsel you follow this year. Beware of the counsel of the wicked.


As for sinners, their power lies in the path they choose. No one can walk through the path of sinners without getting hurt. Just ask Samson or Judas Iscariot. Many holy giants have fallen on the path of the wicked. Pleasing in the path of sinners inevitably leads to eternal harm. Take heed of the scriptural warning: "For her house inclines unto death, and her paths unto the dead. None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life" (Proverbs 2:18-19). Note the emphasis: NONE THAT GO UNTO HER RETURN AGAIN...


Lastly, avoid the company of mockers. Mockers are those who belittle and underestimate great things. They downplay and speak contemptuously of great things happening in the lives of others. Mockers thrive in a group. It is this company that makes their actions formidable. Mockers do not act alone. "But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed at us and despised us, saying, 'What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?'" (Nehemiah 2:19). "But it happened, that when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was angry and took great offense. He mocked the Jews in front of his brothers and the army of Samaria, saying, 'What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish that are burned?' Now Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, 'Even if a fox climbs up on what they are building, it will break down their stone wall'" (Nehemiah 4:1-3).


Anyone who is determined to be successful in their endeavors this year must be cautious of these three groups and stay away from them.


I pray that the Lord will guide our steps this year and help us live meaningful and joyful lives.


Happy New Year and stay blessed.

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