This Is The Way

Psalms 1:1-3 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law, he meditates day and night. 3 He 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.

 

If it’s been a while since you read Psalms 1, I would encourage you to read it. It has been a redirecting psalm in my life. It’s only 6 verses, but so much truth and promise. This Psalm is often overlooked for the more popular Psalm 23 or other Psalms that we gravitate towards. Yet Psalm 1 is profound in its simple message and clarity. So let’s talk about that.

 

This Psalm contrasts the Righteous and the Wicked. It has a cadence that starts with a truth of blessing when you don’t do something, then shifts to the replacement and action of the Righteous. It then proclaims the promise for the righteous. It then shifts to the Wicked, and the Psalmist has some not-so-good things to say. The finish is the LORD knows the righteous, and the wicked will perish. Simple and yet so profound.

 

So what do we do with it? Well, first off, Don’t walk, stand or sit. Notice the progression. First, we walk in the counsel of the wicked, then we stand in the path of sinners, then we sit in the seat of scoffers. This progression is the movement away from the Lord and towards the World, the Flesh, and the enemy of our souls. This progression has captured many a believer, the slow fade back to the old life or the slow fade back into sin with different players. Either way, the Psalmist says were blessed when we don’t do this.

 

Instead, the truth of how to not is found in verse two in the action of the believer. First thing, Delight in the Law of the LORD. What does that mean? All that energy and pleasure of heading toward sin is directed at the thing that will guide us from sin and change our lives, the Word of God. Second thing is to add constant meditation to your delight. This isn’t the cross your legs and hum on the floor type of meditation. The word here in Greek is Hagah, and it means to murmur and ponder. The other definition words are to imagine, speak, study, talk, utter, and roar. Those descriptions sound like most Bible study groups I’ve been a part of. That’s the point, though.

It’s not just about reading the Word of God. It’s not just a book; it’s His words of life for you.

 

The only way to be planted and rooted in Christ is to delight and meditate day and night on God’s word. It is His primary way of communication with us and the mechanism He uses in our life to produce the fruit of the Spirit and His righteousness.

 

Delighting and Meditating on God’s word with you,

Pastor Mike


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