Psalm 1 – 2

Bible Passage:  Psalm 1-2

We all want to be blessed by God.

We all want to be right with God.

But many a times… we know – even if others do not… we have let God down badly.  We never seemed to be the Christian that we want to be.

In fact, we wonder what is wrong with us?  We want to be a good Christian.  We try hard but somehow we just never seem to make it.  We are always doing the wrong things.  We just can’t live like a Christian!

If this sounds familiar – you are not alone.

So it is indeed a great blessing for us to start the new year by reading the book of Psalms.

The words expressed especially in Psalm 1 contains great wisdom that ought to direct our paths this year.

Blessed 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;

~ Psalm 1:1

It is easy to be blessed.  Just choose not to walk in the counsel of the ungodly!

Many a times when we struggle in leading a godly life – it is because of the company that we keep.

It is very easy to walk the wicked path.  And the more we hang out with the wicked, the more at home we will feel and eventually, we just join them and do not think twice anymore.

And if we feel that we are very un-Christian – examine yourself and ask…

• How much time do you spend reading the Bible and knowing God more?
• How often do you attend services to hear the word of God spoken?
• Do you go to God in prayer only when you need Him?
• Are your best friends in life outside the Church?

The man that is blessed is described as thus:

But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.

~ Psalm 1:2

The key to being a blessed man is to take delight in the Word of the Lord and to meditate on it day and night.

There is a promise for the person who soaks in the water of God’s word –you will become a strong tree, bearing fruit. The wicked are called dry chaff, which will be blown away.

Only by reading and reflecting on the Word of God regularly will you know what is right and do it.

Last Saturday, a brother said to me that  a lot of times, we are looking at things from the wrong perspective.  When we are warned about certain actions or things we are doing, our first response tends to be “What’s wrong with that?”.

Instead, we should think the other way round and consider “What is so right about that?”  “In what way can I do things better or the right way?”

And in so doing – we would not be selfish and only consider for ourselves – but consider what is the godly thing to do.

Jesus told a parable about building our house on the rock and not the sand. It is important what our life is built upon. We need nutrients and strength, which can only come from the author of life, God Himself.

We are told that the wicked will not be able to stand in the day of judgment. They will be blown away. Will you be blown away or do you have strong roots?

For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

~ Psalm 1:6

The godly man doesn’t listen to the counsel of the non-Christians around us especially regarding who we are and where we came from, we don’t walk in their lifestyles, and we don’t sit around and talk about people behind their back.  We don’t get caught up in their ways.

We know God is everywhere, but so often we live each day as though He’s off visiting in another planet or something. But look at Psalm 1 verse 6. The Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Let us pray that God will help you this year to take Jesus everywhere you go.

Strive deeply to let the Word of God dwell in our hearts.

And then see… how much harder it is to join in the revelry of the world around you.  Because you are now

…. like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

~ Psalm 1:3

May God bless us all and keep us in His love this year!