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A) The blessings associated with God’s Word
B) The attitude of the disciple who receives the blessings identified

The Blessings, The “Bear Claw” That Always Wins
Remember when you were a kid at the pizza restaurant, just after the baseball game? After chomping down a few bites of pizza and washing it down with a swig of soda, you incessantly tugged on dad’s jeans, trying to get his attention -or at least a couple quarters – to play the “bear claw” game. You know, the game where you plop in a quarter, press the red blinking button on the black joystick, and maneuver the three-pronged metal claw around a myriad of colorful toys, stuffed animals, and all kinds of shiny fodder that would of course look good no matter where you put it in your bedroom back home.

As you inch up on your tippy-toes, you see the claw hover over the item you want and BAM! You pressed the button on the joystick and down went the claw to scoop up your new treasure. If you were lucky, the claw caught the toy, dragged it to the side, and dropped it into the hole where you could take it out. If you weren’t so lucky, you went back and bugged dad for another few quarters.

Reading through Psalm 1, 19, and 119 and digging into the depth of their riches is like playing the “bear claw” game when you were a kid. But this time, regardless of your skill with pressing the button or hovering over the right item, you get something new and exciting every time you go in.

Like in Psalm chapter one when we learn of what happens when we see how blessed we are when we do not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners. When we delight in the law of the Lord and mediate on God’s law day and night, it says we “will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.” (1:3, NASB) Wow! I want to be a tree that always bears fruit, who is firm, dependable, and available.

In Psalm 19:9 it says, “God’s reputation is twenty-four-carat gold, with a lifetime guarantee. The decisions of GOD are accurate down to the nth degree.” (MSG) “How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD. How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart.” (119:1-2, NASB) I want to be blameless as I walk in the law of the Lord!

In Psalm 119:103 we get a “sweet” treat! “How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (119:103, NASB) In Psalm 119:105 things are looking bright! “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (119:105, NASB)

No matter where you look (dig), you’re sure to come up with some sort of treasure from reading these Psalms. It is important to note that all of the blessings are directly associated with the mediation and study of God’s word. It is also important to understand that the blessings are not always of physical or earthly value. Often times the word blessed is used in the context of God’s lavishness toward us with his grace, protection, provision, and encouragement. As The Message version says in Psalm 1:1, “How well God must like you!” What a thrill to have God like me!

The Attitude of the Receiver
The attitude of the receiver is so important to the sustainability and the substantiality of the blessing being received. Without the proper attitude and heart, the blessings tend to cease and the weight of them decreases with the passing of time. Just like the kid who plays the bear claw game, if he doesn’t win anything, the joy of planning and the frequency of playing may drift off. But if the attitude and gratitude align with the magnitude of the blessing, God is certainly into that!

I love how the receiver of the blessings in these Psalms is so in touch with God’s heart, so spirit-led and soft toward the ways of God. “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” (1:2, NIV) “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.” (19:7a, NIV)

The receiver is constantly checking his heart against the heart of God. “The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.” (19:8a, NIV) “Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (19:13-14, NIV)

The receiver is obedient! “Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!” (119:5, NIV) “I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.” (119:7-8, NIV)

The receiver is aware of his sin and chooses to meditate on God and His Word. “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (119:11, NIV) “I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.” (119:14-16, NIV)

Above all, the receiver of the blessing is consumed with God and his law. “My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times.” (119:20, NIV)
Application

Like the kid and the bear claw, I’ve got to keep digging for more. But knowing ahead of time that I am always going to get something I must be prepared for where to put everything I am going to get out! I won’t have room to just hide the treasures in my bedroom; I need to hide them in my heart.

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