1 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;
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper. - Psalm 1:1-3
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper. - Psalm 1:1-3
Very well-known verses, but still great verses! A few things stood out as I read these today that I don't think I've really ever thought about. The first coming from verse 1. I always associate verse one with acting like an ungodly person, but today it stood out a little deeper. Not walking in the counsel of these people means that I don't look at life the same way a non-christian does. Their instruction and attitude and worldview and all of these things would be wrapped up in their counsel. If I am focusing on Christ alone and God's Word I will have no room for any other opinions. Proverbs 14:12 - There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. The second thing that stood out was the word "stands". Why would I stand in someone's path? I can think of only two reasons: to block them or to wait for them to arrive. Neither of these options are good options. I must always be extremely careful not to block someone from God. I think Christians can often be the very reason why the unsaved don't want to be Christians. My life can often scream hypocrisy and sinfulness. My attitude can drive away the interested. I must not allow my failures to block someone's path or become a stumbling block. 1 Corinthians 8:9 - But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. I also should not wait around for a "sinner" to arrive. I must separate myself from temptations and bad influences. If I stand in the path where I know sin and trouble will arrive, I am bound to get involved.
The last thing that grabbed me from Psalm 1 was the relationship between verses 2 and 3. I know the connection but often forget about it. I like to focus on verse 3 and God's promise of prosperity. However, this prosperity is linked to verse 2 and my personal behavior. If I want to be prosperous then I must delight in God's Word and meditate daily. My desires must be God's desires. When I am in tune with God my desires will match His. When my desires match God's desires there is nothing He would rather do than make these things real in my life. Psalm 37:4 - Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
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