I have begun to study the Psalms again. This time with a fresh commitment to stilling myself and listening for the sound of Abba Father’s voice. I have started with Psalm 1, verses 1, 2 and 3. Quite honestly, it has taken me a few days to absorb the potency of the powerful and relevant truth found in these verses. Please let me share…

“¹Blessed 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 ^[b]meditates day and night.
³ He shall be like a tree
Planted by the ^[c]rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.” (New King James Version)

The first verse gives clear instruction; the “do nots.” Do not seek counsel from the ungodly (those opposed to religious beliefs and live immorally). Do not stand in the path of the sinner (those continuously doing wrong things). Do not sit in the seat of the scornful (those who openly dislike and disrespect others or mock with indignation).

The warnings here are not difficult to understand. As Believers in Christ we are to avoid getting advice from, regularly “hanging out” with, or joining in negative conversations with those who willingly or inadvertently live lives in opposition to the Word of God. Some of these people will live this way because they don’t know Jesus and others who fit into this lifestyle do so on purpose.

Are we to avoid them altogether?

I don’t believe so. As disciples of Jesus, I believe we are to love all, bear witness of Christ to all, BUT avoid any evil behavior and intention. After all, our testimonies (our lives in Jesus Christ) may be the only Gospel some of these will ever encounter. But we need to be aware that not everyone will embrace our truth of knowing and trusting in the God of the Universe.

In verse two, we are invited to “delight in the law of the Lord.” I love the word delight. It springs up thoughts of joy and happiness. I believe that “delighting” in the law, or Word of the Lord is a conscious and practiced behavior that comes from spending time with Him and becoming familiar with His presence. It develops our love toward Him.

When you love someone, you want to spend time with them…because you can’t wait to see them, hear their voice, be close to them. The Lord wants us to long for Him, as He does for us (see Revelation 21: 3, 4 below). Taking just a few minutes of your day, as a starting practice, to sit in a quiet place and allow His great love to envelope you, will begin to release in your spirit a true desire to want to be with Him. Then you will desire to know God, which will spark a sincere desire to know His Word (law of the Lord). As we study His Word, we can find “delight” (joy, happiness) in the stability, direction and comfort His Word provides for us in our daily walk.

The second part of this verse will come with ease, as we “meditate” (consider, receive and act on) His Word (law of the Lord), “day and night”…which translate as always. Meditating on the Word of God transforms our hearts, thoughts and ultimately our lives in amazingly wonderful, and satisfying ways.

The third verse of Psalm 1, gives us the promises God has for us, if we do the things He tells us in the first 2 verses. I received them this way:

You will be strong and grounded in His truths like a great and mighty tree that has been planted by life-giving waters. Your roots (foundations in revelation and power) will run deep and will continually be nourished (through your consistent interaction with God and execution of His Will in your life.) You will prosper in every area of your life, in good times and bad, both spiritually and physically. Your legacy and prosperity will endure through your generations and will not fail or fall away but will continue to grow and thrive.

These verses may be short, but contain substantial blessings. If we obey these verses, we will be able to:

1.) surrender our will to God’s and commit to loving others, while refraining from partnering with any one or any thing that turns our hearts away from Him;

2.) spend quality time in His presence and apply His Word to our lives by thinking about it and asking Him to reveal what He wants us to know about His Will for us, and;

3.) produce prosperity and fruitfulness both spiritually and physically in our own lives, and in the lives of our children, our grandchildren, and through our generations.

As you reflect on Psalm 1:1-3, consider the power and truth of these verses for you and your family. Our God is a promise keeper…and His promises are given with His “yes and amen!”

Until next post, blessings. VW1.

“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4.