Psalm 1 is probably my favorite chapter in the bible. I read it every day - first thing in the morning. It reminds me what my priorities should be. It tells me the direction my life should be going in - and at the same time - tells me the way I shouldn't be going all in six verses.
Psalm 1:1 -
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of the sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful;"
So happy is the person who doesn't take the advice of the ungodly; he doesn't associate with the sinners; and he doesn’t make a mockery of the things of God. But you also see the progression here of the lost. There was a time when he was walking the way. But now walking in the way of the ungodly - heading their 'counsel.' He has been distracted from his journey and is now stopping and 'standing' with those who are entertaining evil. Then he is now not only associating, but now is an active participant in that sin by 'seating' himself among the scoffers of God. So how do we not fall into this same trap as the unrighteous man?
Psalm 1:2 -
"But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night."
A beautiful description of the longing of the Christian. His 'delight;' his longing desire is to meditate; be fully immersed in the Word always. Both day and night he is thinking upon the blessings and promises of God. How much more satisfying would our lives be if we chose to think on all of the things that the Lord has done and has promised to do for us rather than getting stuck in the quicksand of despair all around us? The "Law" is not burdensome as some or even most now are lead to believe. It is an encouragement that if we believe in the Word of God and His promises toward us - we have such a great reward waiting for us!
Psalm 1:3 -
"He shall be 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."
The follower of Christ is not left out in the wilderness to try and face the trials of Satan alone. He is 'planted' by the 'rivers of water.' Someone has to be involved in the action of planting - who would that be? We are planted by the Master Gardener in His vineyard! Our roots grow deep through our trials - but we are not alone. As our roots of faith grow deeper - they continually reach for the Source of strength - that refreshing river of Life. The fruit of our faithfulness is continually ripening as we drink from that river of Life. This great Source is the reason that this man prospers.
Romans 8:31 -
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"
What an amazing promise! If we are for God - He is for us. Who better to back you in your Godly endeavors than the Creator of the universe.
Psalm 1:4 -
"The ungodly are not so, but are like chaff which the wind drive away."
We can see that we are transitioning into a different description of man. The unrighteous one. God is not with this man. He has turned is back on God and He cannot help the man. He has chosen the way of the ungodly and is standing with the sinners. He is comfortable with those who curse and mock God. Charles Spurgeon puts it quite plainly…
The Treasury of David, vol. 1, p. 3 -
"Here is their character--'they are like chaff,' intrinsically worthless, dead, unserviceable, without substance, and easily carried away…death shall hurry them with its terrible blast into the fire in which they shall be utterly consumed."
Psalm 1:5 -
"Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor the sinners in the congregation of the righteous."
The Bible tells us that ALL will go through the final judgement - but the sinner who has not received Christ into his heart will never be able to withstand before the glory of God. Jesus tells us that the 'tares' grow together with the 'wheat.' But in the judgement - both are harvested and separated - so they are completely apart from the other; no more wicked in amongst the children of Israel.
Psalm 1:6 -
"For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish."
God is always watching over us - we are never alone in our walk with Christ. He is always with us - guiding us through the hard times and giving us comfort and rest. He will continue with us until the end of our journey - when He comes back to get us and we shall never be apart. The wicked shall cease - as if they never were. They not only are no more - but 'the way' in which they were going is also gone. Death is gone - totally consumed by the righteousness and glory of God.
This Psalm gives me encouragement every day to continue in the way of righteousness and to always keep the commands of God and the Testimony of Jesus in the forefront of my mind. I wanna walk in that way….how about you?