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. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers” (Psalm 1:1-3)
Do we ever long for stronger faith, fruitful faith, and enduring faith? How often do we find ourselves falling again and again? Sanctification is a process as God works wonderfully in us. However, let us take a look at the man of Psalm 1.
Firstly, blessed is the man who does not walk in evil ways. Blessed means truly being happy because you are on the right path. Here it talks about who we get our counsel from. Observe the wicked man. He gets his counsel and his advice from wicked people. He listens to them and then follows their ways. He then sits with them, becomes friends with them and eventually teaches others to follow in wickedness. At times, this may seem like a far-fetched personality. However, how often do we love the counsel of our worldly friends? How often do we believe that the easy immoral lives they are living are a lot more appealing than our rigid religious life? How often do we join in with them and follow their ways?
If we want to grow in faith, we must first introspect ourselves. Do we genuinely want to grow in holiness? Do we want to grow in the ways of God? Or are we just deceiving ourselves? Are our true desires for God, or are they for ourselves? If our heart sides the world and its wicked pleasures, and yet we say we long to grow spiritually, we are deceiving ourselves.
The blessed man has his delight in the law of the LORD. A holy man is separated from the world’s wickedness. His heart is not placed there. Instead, he has a deep longing to know God and to know His Word. To commune with God and walk and learn from Him is his delight. Meditating day and night means that God’s Word is genuinely his highest delight and priority. It’s what strengthens Him to live on each day. It’s what lifts him in hard times and makes him rejoice in happy times. It’s his counsel, his wisdom, and his everything for life. This man’s deepest longing is none other than to know God and walk with Him.
Take a look at how the psalmist describes this man. “He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers” (Psalm 1:3). Even within a dry spiritual climate, this man is planted firmly by the stream. He has a constant source of abundant hope and joy flowing for Christ, who is the living fountain. His faith will not wither. Rather, he will grow sure and steadily. A tree that grows will, sooner or later, bear fruit. So it is with this man. Sooner or later, his faith will bear sweet fruits which everyone can taste. His life will change and be a blessing for others.
Moreover, everything he does will prosper. This is not earthly prospering. This is spiritual prosperity. There will be hardships and persecution in the Christian life. However, all things work for the good of those who love God (Romans 8:28). The storms of life will not defeat this man. He will continue to grow in faith, one step at a time, in God’s goodness.
Above all, God knows the way of the righteous. God is the one who gave this gift of grace to this blessed man. He is the one who planted Him by the streams of water. He is the one who saved this man from sins and opened the door of all spiritual blessings to befall Him. God cares for His people. He knows them personally. They are His. If one is in God’s hands, there is nothing to fear. This is a blessed man.
On the contrary, the wicked do not love and obey His word. Instead, they reject and rebel against it. They are like chaff that the wind drives away. They are fleeting and will soon be blown away. Judgement is waiting for them because God is Holy. Their ways will perish because God is not on their side.
And so, do we want to grow? Turn your whole heart to Him. Seek Him and make Him your only delight. Ask for His mercy and forgiveness. Trust in Christ and the free gift of grace for all those who believe. Those who earnestly and sincerely seek Him He will not reject.
Lord, make me Your child. Give me a heart that delights in You and Your Word alone. Forgive my sins and separate me from the ways of the wicked. Teach me to walk in Your ways alone. Let me experience You personally and help me grow in my faith as You have promised for Your children. In Jesus’ name, amen.