Psalm 1: Wisdom

Two portraits are presented in Psalm 1:
*WISE -> DELIGHT -> MEDITATE -> YIELD FRUIT -> PROSPER
*WICKED -> ETERNAL RUIN

Practical advise is given in this passage.  The way to find happiness and fulfillment in life is to dive into scripture, drink it in, savor it and then walk in it.  The law of God is necessary, we need boundaries, a standard to live by, a view in which to see the world.  The law reveals to us our inability, our great need for a Helper.  Scripture has been given to us to do us good.  We are blessed by the Word.  Godliness is presented positively as the way of one who delights in what God has laid out for us before the creation of the world.  In contrast, the world rolls its eyes at old-fashioned biblical truths.  The world thinks we're not 'progressive', that we are stuck in our narrow single-mindedness.  There is no sex appeal, no toys to accumulate, no fame or status...how boring they say!  My questions is...which one of us is content?  Which one of us knows deep joy instead of fleeting happiness?  Whose conscience is pricked by right and wrong?  And YES there is such a thing as right and wrong!!

A striking feature in Hebrew poetry is parallelism:  saying the same thing in 2 or 3 linked lines.
Set 1:                    Set 2:                    Set 3:
Walk                     Counsel                 Ungodly
Stand                     Path                      Sinners
Sit                         Seat                      Scornful

Want a fast track to emptiness, regret and frustration?  Embody this lifestyle-  there's the magic formula!  The way of the lost is a slippery slope bobsledding downhill fast.  It may seem 'fun' for the moment but I guarantee that moment will come to a halt!  Charles Spurgeon said, "When men are living in sin they go from bad to worse.  At first they merely walk in the counsel of the careless and ungodly who forget God-the evil is rather practical than habitual-but after that, they become habituated to the evil, and the stand in the way of open sinners who willfully violate God's commandments; and if let alone go one step further and become themselves pestilent teachers and tempters of others and sit in the seat of the scornful."  Check yourself, be aware of your associations and that you are not counted among the 3rd set.

How does one 'delight' in Gods law?    The idea of mediating simply means to reflect and think about what you have read.  Journaling is great way to record your reponse.  When you study in school you take notes, memorize and respond to your information, same thing for studying the Bible.  The word 'law' refers to the whole of God's inscripturated revelation:  learning about God is beautiful, and a privilege, be ravished by it!

John Stout wisely said, "delight is an indication of the new birth, for'...the sinful man is hostile to God.  It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so' (Romans 8:7).  As a result of the inward, regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, however, the godly find that they love the law of the God simply because it conveys to them the will of their God.  They do not rebel against its exacting demands; their whole being approves and endorses it...Delighting in it, the godly will meditate in it, or pore over it, constantly, day and night."

In love with...
*SIN-----------World
*GOD----------Scripture

Where are you walking?  Who are you standing next to?  Who is sitting next to you?  BE GROUNDED in your faith and convictions!  Meditation requires groundedness, that is why we are given the illustration of the tree planted by the rivers of water.  The land around the tree may be barren, dry and empty.  Nourishment comes from the Water of Life, Jesus.  Compare the grounded tree to the flaky chaff being swirled and blown around holding onto a notion.  The chaff is lost.

The less traveled road is not the popular one.  You are not promised an easy journey, there are perilous things ahead.  How will you handle choices, crisis points and chaos on this road?  By delighting in the One who knows you best and has your back.  When life throws you a curve you will not be blown around like the chaff because scripture supersedes the turmoil.  But that scripture has to be planted deep in the reservoir of you heart in order to conquer the enemy-this is the key to wisdom.

When I walk I want to walk with the upright, focused on the direction I am going and not getting pulled and side-tracked into other venues.  I want to stand with no shame in my face, my head held high, my body healthy and strong to bear any load I am carrying.  When I sit I want to be able to sign my name at the end of the day with a smile.  Knowing I did not walk one part of my journey alone for He watches over me, equipping me, and helping me.  I pray the road that is behind me is one my children will want to follow, hopefully there won't be too many ditches or bumps that I created!  Thank you Lord for blessing me.

Coram Deo,
E.W.