The first verse of Psalm 1 instructs us to avoid the company of the wicked and the path of sin, urging us to stay away from the influences that can lead us astray.
In contrast, the second verse lays out a positive directive: it highlights the importance of delighting in the law of the Lord and meditating on His teachings day and night, emphasizing a proactive engagement with God’s word.
Being obedient and putting in to practice the lessons the Spirit and God’s Word provide through faith.
The third verse beautifully encapsulates the result of following this wisdom, comparing the obedient person to a tree planted by streams of water, flourishing and bearing fruit in its season
In today’s message, I share with you the illustration of the great and life-giving blessings that come from aligning our lives with divine guidance.
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; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 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
A. Wise Relationship
The passage highlights certain behaviors we should steer clear of in order to lead a blessed life. To truly experience a blessed existence, it’s important to be mindful of our associations and the depth of our relationships with others.
The Psalm illustrates how a single negative action can trigger a chain of harmful behaviors.
1. Walking in the counsel of the ungodly.
The first step we should take is to be mindful of our sources of advice. Who do you turn to for guidance? Have you taken a moment to reflect on this? Each of us has individuals who influence our decisions. We need to steer clear of seeking advice from the ungodly.
The term ‘ungodly’ refers to those who are wicked—people who commit wrongdoings without remorse. A wicked individual can blind you to the potential repercussions of your choices, often encouraging you with phrases like, ‘just go for it’ or ‘everyone is doing it.’ It’s important not to heed the advice of those who lack moral integrity.
2. Standing in the path of sinners.
When someone walks, they are in motion. When they stand still, they cease to move. The individual described in the Psalm finds solace among those who are considered sinners—individuals whose values do not align with God’s teachings.
If we are to be discerning about the company we keep, we should choose those whose values reflect a godly perspective.
To truly experience the Lord’s blessings, it is essential to evaluate the people we allow into our lives.
3. Sitting in the seat of the scornful.
This is the ultimate stage of compromise, where we find ourselves aligning with those who scoff at sacred matters. The scoffers are individuals who belittle the things of God and treat what is holy as trivial.
If you have the option, be intentional about avoiding such people in your relationships. Even when interaction is necessary, it should be approached with caution. Never let any relationship diminish your love for God.
To thrive this year, we must carefully select the company we keep. It’s essential to discern the counsel we accept, the people we allow to draw near, and those with whom we spend our time.
B. Remaining in Obedience
Avoiding a corrupted fellowship alone won’t make us live to the fullness of what the LORD has set in motion for our growth. We must be grounded in the couseling of God.
The Word of God reveals the intentions of God. A truly blessed individual is one who steers clear of negative influences and draws nearer to the Scriptures. Here are five ways to find joy in God’s Word:
1. Read It: We begin our journey in understanding the Scriptures by actively reading them. Engaging with the Bible provides us with a comprehensive grasp of its teachings.
Each of us should dedicate time to reading the Bible regularly, starting with a commitment to read at least one chapter a day.
2. Study It: After reading, it’s essential to go deeper by studying the text. This aids in gaining a more profound insight into its messages. You can delve into the Bible on your own, with a group, or by following a structured Bible study guide.
3. Meditate on It: The teachings of God should fill our minds. Meditating on the Word means contemplating its meanings and implications in our lives.
We can reflect on Scripture throughout our day, whether we’re commuting to work or engaged in daily activities.
4. Speak It: The Word of God within us should resonate in our conversations; it should become our language. Our words should mirror God’s teachings.
Just as God communicates His purposes through His spoken Word, we, too, should use Scripture to affirm these purposes in our own lives.
5. Act on It: Lastly, it’s crucial to put the Word into practice. This is perhaps the most vital step. Without action, the Word doesn’t yield results in our lives.
We need to embody the Scriptures, following God’s guidance and instructions. Putting the Word into action revitalizes our faith.
To experience a truly blessed life, we must commit to delighting in God’s Word.
C. Established by the Lords
The result is that we will become fruitful in our lives. This year, we are trusting the Lord to make our lives fruitful. We want our lives to be productive on all levels. Our passage for today sets out four indicators of an abundant life:
1. Tree planted by the waters.
A thriving life is compared to a tree positioned by a water source. The phrase “water source” signifies an irrigation system.
In the arid regions of the Old Testament, water was hard to come by, particularly from rivers. To nourish their crops, farmers dug wells and established irrigation networks.
A tree situated by an irrigated water system received a constant supply of water, regardless of the season. Similarly, a fruitful individual is someone who is consistently nurtured by God’s living waters.
2. Leaves that do not wither.
The leaves symbolize various activities. A person who is thriving is constantly nurtured, giving them the energy to accomplish what needs to be done.
They remain resilient and do not become tired or withered. While others may weaken and struggle during a challenging dry season, the tree rooted by the rivers of water remains vibrant.
When we are rooted in the Lord, we experience this same vitality. We move forward without exhaustion, and our leaves stay green and flourishing.
3. Fruits are borne in season.
Fruits symbolize outcomes. A tree may remain standing without a water source, yet it might not produce any fruit during the season for bearing fruit. There’s always a designated time for yielding results. A productive individual brings forth results when the moment is right, and their efforts are rewarded by the Lord.
4. Prospering in all we do.
The fruitful person produces results in all areas of life. They produce spiritual fruit and natural fruit. Every area of their life is productive. That is what the Lord wants for us this year. He wants all areas of our lives to do well. We must be like the tree planted by the rivers of waters and bear fruit.
