Before we go on, please consider the fact that Jesus came to turn this world upside down. He didn't come to help people find a way to feel good about themselves or about how life treats them.

Jesus is a radical "turner-arounder" of any life submitted to Him. He's not one to pacify the sinner or the one seeking "feel-good" words. He challenges us to live as if we are radically saved... which we are if we truly follow Christ.

Let's stand out amongst the darkness around us as bearers of Light and Life, and focus on the eternal rather than the temporal.

Now that I said that, let’s go on to today's focus: "Blessed is the man who does not … stand in the way of sinners…"

We’ve looked at the first part of this verse and gained understanding about walking “in the counsel of the wicked”.  But now, putting it in context with the whole verse, we see a man who is blessed because he does NOT “stand in the way of sinners”.

If we want to be counted among the blessed of God, this phrase should hold great significance for us. So, what is it talking about? 

Does it mean we shouldn’t stand in the sinners’ way but allow them to continue in sin?  God forbid!  It is our responsibility as Christians to be salt and light in the earth, to set an example for sinners so they can see the blessed life of a Christian and desire what we possess because of God’s grace and mercy toward us.

While I’m purposely ignoring an important aspect of this first verse for the moment, let’s just take this phrase at face value and determine what it means.

There are two key words in this phrase:  “stand” and “way”. 

The Hebrew word for “stand” is amad, meaning to abide, to dwell, to continue in, to endure, to remain, to set oneself up in, or to tarry. 

The word “way” also seems to be key to our understanding.  The Psalmist paints a picture for us using the Hebrew word derek, inferring custom, journey, course of life, road, or path. 

Putting these two words in context, we see that the man who is blessed does not find peace or comfort remaining or tarrying in the same course of life as the wicked.  Once redeemed, the child of God is no longer comfortable remaining on the same path as he was before.  He cannot continue in the same ways or walk in fellowship with the wicked (or unredeemed).  In other words, there is a change that happens once a man is redeemed—he no longer finds pleasure in the same things he did before, and he no longer is comfortable walking the same path.

When we accept Jesus Christ as Savior, we come to a fork in the road, so to speak.  We have chosen a new path—a path that many times we didn’t even know existed.  It’s as if our eyes are opened and we see a new derek or a new way. 

Our former life would have led us down one path, but our new life in Christ will lead us down another path.  We can no longer amad along the same path we were on before we accepted Christ.

This new way of life can be a difficult challenge, especially if we are the only one in our home who knows the Lord.  But we have the power of the Holy Spirit within us to help us, to give us strength, and to lead us along the path of righteousness.  The Lord knew we couldn’t do it on our own, so He made provision, giving us every opportunity to succeed in our new walk as a believer.  And, while there are opportunities for difficulties and troubles along the new path, God provides us with the strength we need to make the right choices.  He speaks to us in our conscience—with a small, still voice continually giving us the guidance we need to make decisions that reflect our new life in Christ.

The blessed man… the righteous man does not stand in the way of the sinner – he’s not content to remain there.  And, even if he strays momentarily, he will not find true contentment there.  The redeemed only find true contentment and satisfaction along the derek of the righteous—along the road that leads to eternal life.

Prayer:
Father, I want true contentment and total satisfaction in You. Lead me along the road that leads to eternal life--the derek of the righteous, so I may serve and please You all the days of my life. Amen.

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© 2026 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

“Sit often under the influence of God’s Word.”🌻
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