Psalm 1
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the advice of the wicked, who does not stand on the path with sinners, and who does not sit in a meeting with mockers. But his delight is in the teaching of the Lord, and on his teaching, he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted beside streams of water, which yields its fruit in season, and its leaves do not wither. Everything he does prospers. Not so the wicked! No, they are like the chaff which the wind blows away. Therefore, the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. Yes, the Lord approves of the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for giving us your word today. Please let us seek sound counsel from you and others who walk by faith and according to your word. This can be hard to do; we live in a world where many people live in disagreement with your word. But you tell believers that we are blessed when we do not take advice from unbelievers and avoid standing on their paths. Their paths lead to destruction. Lord, through your word, we have the hope and promise of eternal life; let us always seek our advice from people who get their advice from your Holy Scripture. You use the example of a tree finding its sustenance alongside a stream; that produces fruits of faith being fed by your word. When challenges come our way, let us seek our guidance through the Bible and others who also walk in your way.
You tell us here that no matter what the believer does, it may not seem like it is going well, but you make it work out for the believer’s own good. For our end, you have given us the gift of heaven, immortality, life, and salvation. This came to us because your Son suffered and died for us. The wicked are blown around, and on their own everything, they may gain or do leads to their own destruction. Give us opportunities to share the good news about you with others so they too will have comfort in you, and they will not perish. Let us be your witnesses as we meditate on your word day and night; fill us with your love that only comes through your word. Amen.
Pastor Roger Emmons
Be careful who you get your advice from; the world’s advice sounds smooth and easy, but in the end, it is leading them to destruction in hell. Is that where you want to go? Seek advice from those who are confident of their heavenly home if that is where you want to go.