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,
Why would we want to take counsel with those who do not trust in you? It seems like a no-brainer that we wouldn’t want to do this. You are our God who takes care of all our physical and spiritual needs. But, the truth is we can find ourselves being quickly influenced by them to fit in and keep up with the neighbors, to be affected by the world’s thoughts. This Psalm is both a warning and blessing. Your word provides sound, godly advice, and teaching, which we receive by being in your holy scripture and meditating on it. Wherever we are fed from fuels our thoughts and desires. When firmly planted in your word, we produce fruit of faith. Hatred and prejudices come from the consumption of worldly “isms” like rationalism and relativism.
We receive the forgiveness of sin and your love through your word, resulting in us forgiving and loving others. For believers, when we are grounded in you, all that we do will be prosperous towards our faith. It may not always turn out the way we desire, but we can be confident in you. Our faith continues to grow. We have the forgiveness of sins and the hope of heaven. While those who do not have Jesus as their Savior; have no innocence in themselves, and there is no forgiveness for them. All their theories and beliefs of the world are as worthless as straw. Those grounding themselves on opinions, contrary to your word, will be burned up in their unbelief. But you will collect all the believers up into the mansions of heaven; those who are right with you through faith and not because of themselves but for Jesus’ sake; will have everlasting life. Amen.
Pastor Roger Emmons
Where do you feed your soul, from the waters of God’s word or the poison of the world? God blesses the faith of those who are fed from him.