"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful". ~Psalm 1:1.

In the Hebrew language of the Old Testament, the word ‘ashre can be rendered in English as "blessed" or "happy"—understandable since God's blessing leads to happiness. But who does God bless? The simple answer is "everyone," but the deeper answer is "those who do His will."

God's blessings are of two kinds: general and specific. Some of God's blessings fall upon everyone (general) and other blessings on those who obey Him (specific). Jesus Himself said that God causes the sun to shine and the rain to fall "on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:45). But Jesus also named eight categories of people whom God specifically blesses: the humble, those who mourn, the meek, the righteous, the merciful, the pure, the peacemakers, and the persecuted Matthew 5:3-12. That isn't an exclusive list, but it is indicative of who God blesses—those whose character and actions are like God Himself.

If you are reading these words, you are blessed! But there are deeper blessings than just sunshine and rain—those that come from a Christ-like character. When man follows God's example, he receives a divine blessing because he demonstrates that he is one of God's children.

Recommended Reading, Matthew 5:3-12.

Blessings!!