Psalm 1 – PICTURE IT!
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the LORD,
meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
4 But not the wicked!
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Sinners will have no place among the godly.
6 For the LORD watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.
What a contrast pictured between verses 1 and 2. I picture people who in their foolish and dark thinking look down upon followers of Christ as if we were duped. They want no part of God. But those who do want God, they delight (love that word), they delight in the God’s word and just can’t get enough of it. And the product of that delight? Flourishing trees bearing fruit, whose leaves never wither. I know people like that, whose joy rises above everything and they prosper no matter what the outcome. Oh to have that kind of attitude! To prosper with joy no matter the outcome.
But the mockers of God, they are said to be like chaff blown away by the wind. No true bearing in life, they are just scattered by every wind that comes through.
And we see now that God has His eye on the path of the godly. He knows what’s ahead and He has good things in store for the godly. Not that the path will be easy, but it will always be good and good for us. That’s the confidence a person who is full of joy posseses.
Lord I want the joy that comes from meditating on your word day and night. I want to know the joy of a life that knows I am on Your path and that You stand watch over that path all the time. Help me to bear fruit – the fruit of walking with You in the freedom and joy that comes from obedience.