I figured that while we're picking out the next book, we can transition by reading through a few Psalms. So today we're looking at Psalm 1. If there is a different Psalm that is speaking to you today, you're welcome to post on it instead, and we'll continue with this through the weekend as I'll send out some options for the next book.
but his delight is in the law of the Lord , and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. (Psalms 1:2, 3 ESV)
I like how this psalm was convicting in its talk of evildoers and judgement but also encouraging as it starts in verses 2 and 3. For we all hopefully are at least understanding and feeling some of that desire to walk in the way of the Lord, and here it talks about the promises that parallel that. I also enjoy the visual of mediating on the law and instructions of the Lord day and night as we try to better know and understand God (Maybe it's just the nerd in me). That's why I think it's very important, no matter the circumstances, to make time for God day and night so that we put him in the place of honor where he belongs in our lives rather than on the back burner for when I have extra time. As always, this is much easier said than done, but we need to make sure this is a priority for us.
"Therefore the wicked will not survive judgement,
ReplyDeletenor will sinners in the assembly of the just."
Psalm 1:5
How convicting. Wickedness will not be tolerated by our Just God. Likewise, those who separate themselves from Jesus and the love of God while continuing to join the assembly of the just will not survive judgement.
We need to make sure that while we are pursuing Christ, we are keeping an eye out for those who may just be going through the motions. We need to encourage those people and aid them in their fight against sin so that they and we can survive judgement.
He is like a tree
ReplyDeleteplanted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
(Psalm 1:3 ESV)
I love God's promise to us if we meditate on his word daily, like in a blog! I'm guessing this choice of psalm was not a complete coincidence, eh Marcus? Haha
Haha I wish that I had planned enough ahead to set that one up. It just so happens that I'm actually brainwashing yall to love the blog by carefully selecting what we read haha
DeleteI agree with Marcus that verses 2 and 3 strike me as the most encouraging and poignant. I also like verse 1 though; I am struck that the book of Psalms is started with the phrase "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked." I think there is something significant about the way the Bible was constructed/the relative location of ideas, references, etc. Clearly, this notion in verse 1 was something worth mentioning and that could probably have helped many at the time of its writing. But it's also so applicable in our modern day! We are torn in so many directions by the world and by (maybe) well-meaning people who are not necessarily interested in the Kingdom of God. It is up to us to show discernment in who we trust to influence us.
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