Living in the Spirit
September 16, 2015
Scripture Reading: Psalm 1
Happy are those
who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread,
or sit in the seat of scoffers;
but their delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law they meditate day and night.
They are like trees
planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper. –Psalm 1:1-3
The Hebrew word esher translated as “happy” in English can also be translated “blessed”. It is derived from the root word asher which means to go straight, go on, advance. What does the word “happy” really mean to us? The first meaning given by Merriam Webster for happy is favored by luck or fortune.* The fifth definition indicates the meaning “blessed” is obsolete. So how do we understand this scripture?
The word “blessed” in English means hallowed, consecrated, holy.** It strikes me that our society has rather reversed the transition of meaning. Instead of continuing thinking that happiness was related to our relationship with God, we have turned “blessed” into meaning being prosperous or having good luck.
If we go back to that root word meaning to go straight, we find our way to righteousness, to being aligned well with God’s ways. Perhaps that is best described in the English language as true joy and contentment. The real question we need to ask ourselves is whether we are settling for good luck or fortune as a substitute for right relationship with God.
Prayer: Lord, turn me around let your joy flood my soul and wash away the clutter of lesser gods that claim my life. Amen.
*http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/happy
**http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/blessed
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.