This passage reveals the limitations of things that many people desire: pleasure, wealth, power, love, and rest. The truly blessed life is to follow God in a right relationship with him.

Alcohol is highly desired, but it turns people into fools (1). Kings are very mighty, but their wrath is unbearable (2). People are fickle and quickly quarrel (3). Sleep and vacations are good, but too much can make people unproductive and poor (4, 13). It is hard to decipher what is people's true agenda behind their good sounding plans (5). A faithful person is impossible to find (6).

On the other hand, those who pursue a righteous life and fellowship with God live blamelessly (7). They enjoy protection and security from living a pure life. Their lives wield spiritual influence, and their children follow their example. Though no one is without sin, when people repent and turn to Jesus, they can be forgiven and have power to live righteously. They can have the knowledge of salvation, which is far greater than any amount of gold or rubies (15). They are rich for all eternity.


Application: Father, thank you for giving us a right relationship with you through the knowledge of salvation in Jesus. Help me to hunger and thirst for righteousness and be truly blessed.
One Word: Blessed are the righteous