Today, we welcome Dana Herndon as a contributing writer for this month’s Blessed Series. Dana, encourages us to become deeply rooted in our relationship with the Lord, sharing her thoughts on Psalm 1. We pray you enjoy and take time to connect with Dana at her blog home, danaherdon.com.

To download a printable copy of today’s devotional, click here >>> Blessed Devo Two -Dana Herndon


Being a believer does not guarantee worldly happiness, but it does guarantee blessings. However, what the world views as blessings is vastly different than what heavenly blessings actually are.

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV)

As followers of Jesus, we are blessed that we have the opportunity to be deeply rooted in a relationship with the Lord.

Psalm 1 tells us that the ones whose delight is in the law of the Lord (God’s Word, instruction) are blessed.

The Psalm also compares believers to a sturdy tree that is continually nourished.

In contrast, psalmist compares the wicked or worldly to chaff that easily blows away in the wind (vs 4). Chaff is the part of the wheat that is not needed; it is threshed out. Another definition of chaff is waste or trash. A stark difference from a majestic tree firmly rooted by a life-giving river.

Believers are inherently blessed because we belong to the Lord.

We are even more blessed when we spend time reading, pondering, meditating, and delighting in God’s Word.

Delighting in God’s Word does not mean we are peppily opening our Bible and reading with a happy heart because, as we all know, that is just not always possible.

Delighting in the Lord is deeper than surface happiness. The Lord brings comfort, peace, and blessings in whatever season we are experiencing. When we turn to God’s Word in both good times and bad, his Word will:

  • Delight us.
  • Reinforce our relationship with Him.
  • Comfort us and show us His strength.
  • Secure our roots in Him.

A tree with strong roots is difficult to fell.

Being blessed by the Lord does not look like what the world expects.

Most of the time our blessings do not even look like what we expect. It is a mighty blessing to be able to seek the Lord personally through His Word, through prayer, and through worship. When we keep our eyes on the Lord and develop a deeper relationship with Him, we will be blessed with deep roots and a strong faith—which are more valuable than any worldly blessing could ever be.


Further Study:

  1. Read Psalm 1. Underline any portions that stand out to you. Consider comparing translations using biblehub.com or biblegateway.com
  2. Reread verses 1-3. Close your eyes and picture yourself by a riverbank. Praise God His nourishment and provision in your life.
  3. The NLT translation of vs 3 reads, “They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” Consider how the world defines prosper and then read Proverbs 11: 28 and Jeremiah 17:8. Do these verse encourage you? In what way? 

Dana Herndon is a writer, blogger, and middle school teacher. She and her husband live in Georgia with their three children. In addition to teaching and writing, Dana loves to read, paddleboard, and sometimes run.

She blogs about faith, family, and enjoying the everyday life at danaherndon.com.

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