Psalm 1: Blessed Is The One

Psalm 1

1 Blessed is the one

who does not walk in step with the wicked

or stand in the way that sinners take

or sit in the company of mockers,

2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,

and who meditates on his law day and night.

3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither—

whatever they do prospers.

4 Not so the wicked!

They are like chaff

that the wind blows away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,

but the way of the wicked leads to destruction

There is a true blessing in committing our lives and hearts to Jesus Christ. Psalm 1 begins blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked. Those who make those who are committed to the world and its ways there most intimate friends and associates will in time be pulled down by them. We may believe that we are strong and no matter who we spend time with or what company we keep that it will not impact us spiritually. It doesn't mean we are called to isolate ourselves from the world and from those who are lost. But when our most intimate relationships are with those who have rejected God and His ways, it will have a detrimental effect on our lives spiritually.

True blessing is found for those who delight in the Lord. The word delight means joy, delight, or wish. Those who delight themselves in the Lord have made God their priority. He has become their obsession. They mediated upon the word of God day and night. Every decision is filter through God's word and the truth of His word. The world and its system is built upon lie and deception. Those who live for God and commit themselves to God live in opposition to the world and its system. There is a contrast in this psalm between those who immerse their lives in the activities of the wicked and those who delight themselves in the Lord. It sets the tone for the entire book of Psalms. At the end of the day we must remember that Jesus said those who love me will obey my commands. God's word is not a suggestion for our lives, but are direct commands from Him how we are to conduct ourselves on this earth.

The person who delights themselves in the law of the Lord and meditates upon it day and night is like a well watered tree. Their life stands the tests of life that may come against it. Their life is marked by the fruit of the Spirit. the only way our lives can be like a well watered tree is that we are continually abiding in Christ. We have become a person of God's presence. His presence is the place where we have made our home. No matter what we face, nor the trials we face, we are always aware of His presence. We are drawing near to His presence. Their life is not only marked by fruitfulness for God's kingdom, they prosper in all that they do. The anointing of God covers every aspect of their life. A perfect example of this is Joseph in the bible. Even thought Joseph was sold into slavery, falsely accused, and ended up in prison, every where Joseph went he prospered because the anointing of God was on his life.

The wicked are another story. Those who are wicked are those who have rejected God and his ways. The continue in sin and reject the leading of God and the conviction that God would bring at their sin. Because they have rejected God and His ways, it may seem for a short time that the wicked prosper. The righteous at times have even asked why do the wicked prosper (Job 21:7-17). But there comes a time when the wicked are destroyed by their own schemes. Like chaff in the wind they merely blow away and are seen no more. For every person who comes to Christ they daily must decide to follow Jesus and abide in Him. The key to living a life that is marked by fruitfulness and prosperity in the Lord is a life that is intimately connected with Christ on a daily basis.

The end result of being committed to wickedness on this earth is to be separated from Almighty God and those who have committed themselves to the Lord. Those who are committed to wickedness will spend an eternity in suffering in ways we cannot comprehend. It is important for those of us who know Christ and have committed ourselves unto God to keep our hearts and minds fixed solely on Jesus Christ. We must remember this world is not our home. If we are called to suffer on this earth, there is a great reward that awaits us in God's kingdom. But until that day our hearts and minds must be fixed upon the word of God. We must meditate upon it day and night.

The Lord watches over the way of the righteous. Those who are declared righteous are those who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. In the context of this Psalm it is those who walk by faith before the Living God and it is evident because they hold fast to the truth of God's word. Those who truly love God and have given them their lives and hearts demonstrate it through the way they live their lives.

But the way of the wicked leads to destruction. Psalm one is a contrast between the righteous and the wicked. It is a contrast between those who choose to live for God and those who reject God and His ways. But in the end God has given man freewill. We have the freedom to choose whether we will commit ourselves to God or reject Him and His ways. To reject His word is to reject Him. He has revealed Himself through His word. The end result of those who reject God and His ways and live in wickedness is they are destroyed. They will face the judgement of God. There is no escape when the mercy of God is rejected. God's desire is to forgive. God's desire is to restore, heal, and save. But for those things to happen we must humble ourselves before God. We must deny ourselves and pick up our cross. Jesus must become not only Savior, He must be made Lord of our lives.

Prayer

Father thank you for your word. Help me to daily delight myself in your word and meditate upon your word day and night. May my life reflect your character, nature, and glory. May you prune from my life anything that would hinder your work and desire within me. I lay down everything for the sake of your name and your glory. Deliver me this day from every lie, deception, temptation, and scheme of the enemy. In the name of Jesus, Amen!