Hans Sangtoki Bible Reading: Psalm 1
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2)
There is nothing more joyful than reading and meditating on God’s word. The psalmist tells us that the man who loves God’s Word is “blessed” or happy in the original language. Loving God and loving His Word is about joy. It is not restrained or restrictive. It is not like a fearful slave who has laws to keep and who will be punished if he breaks them. It is like a father and his son. His son loves to be around his father, listen to his words and take comfort and joy in spending time with his father. Is this joyful relationship the relationship we have with God?
This relationship happens and is evident when we spend time deep in God’s Word, thinking it over and over all day long. It is not an add-on to our busy schedule. Meditating God’s Word becomes the priority of each day, and all other activities revolve around it. Oh, how our lives are so disorientated. We give little thought to God’s Word, which should be our delight. We are overcome by the busyness of each day, distracted by the things of this world. Satan wins over us each day and, how are we ever meant to fight if we are not equipped with our spiritual weapons only found in the Scriptures? Let’s pray that God has mercy on us and helps us prioritise Him and His Word each day.
On the other hand, the wicked get progressively worse and deeper in wickedness. See how they walk in the advice of worldly people around them. Then, they take their stand and make the way of the sinner their own way. Eventually, they sit and become the teachers of atheists who mock and scorn God and His ways. Finally, the wicked will perish, and they have no standing before God’s judgement.
Yet, who are we really? Are we righteous for our own sake? Not at all. We have all fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). The one Righteous One is Christ. He is the one who is blessed, who delights in the Words of His Father and lives to obey His commands. He is the only one who meditated on God’s law day and night with a pure heart devoted to God and God alone. We walk in the counsel of Satan from our Adam until today. We listen to what the world has to say and make it our own way. We delight in pride, in selfishness, in idols. Not only that, we rebel against God, go our own way, and by doing so, we reject God and say His ways and love are of no value or use. We teach others this way, encouraging them to find their own way apart from God. Oh, how we are scoffers leading others to scoff at God.
Yet, what did Christ do on the cross? He redeemed us. He loved us and gave Himself up for us who are rebellious and insolent. He wants us to come back to Him. He wants to restore us so that the delights of the Righteous one can be ours. He wants to plant new hearts that love Him and His law in us. He wants to make us into the blessed man once again. We don’t deserve this. Who is a God like this? He is incomprehensible. His love is unfathomably wide.
Praise God!
Lord, thank You for what You have done for us. Thank You that You loved us and what us to be renewed into Your likeness. You give us new hearts and new desires. Please plant in us a deeper love for You and Your Word. Make Your law our delight and help us meditate on it day and night. In Jesus’ name, amen.