Blessed is the Man or Woman

Psalm 1: 1-3  Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.  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, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.  Whatever he does prospers.  (NIV)

      One of the blessings I’ve experienced this year during Lent is that I’ve been able to spend time in the Psalms.  I hope you are feeling that way too.  This psalm contrasts the way of those that walk with God and those that don’t.   Let’s look at what it means to walk with God.  We are to avoid the counsel or advice of those that do not know God, avoid putting ourselves in ‘harms way’ by being totally associated with those that do not know God or associate with those that mock or denigrate God.  That does not sound like a place I would want to be anyway, right?  However, we often find ourselves in the midst of those who do not know and love God in our everyday lives.  Our place is in the world, witnessing and speaking for God and modeling godly behavior. We can do that in the midst of unbelievers without being sucked into their motives, goals and purposes.  This is a often a difficult walk but God does not leave us there unattended.  He promises to be with us 24/7 and guide us though His Holy Spirit.  The psalmist brings us back to how we can keep ourselves apart when we live in a sinful world.  We are to delight in God’s word and mediate on it day and night.  Then we will see fruit in our lives, live in His peace and be well rooted.  Lives that are grounded in Him show godly prosperity in both our actions and character.

May you grow strong, deeply rooted and fruitful as you meditate on God’s word,

Linda

Spring waters from Mt Hermon at Caesarea Philippi. It is a beautiful and peaceful setting.

Are you planted by streams of living water through Jesus?