God Speaks
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.
Source: New Living Translation: BibleGateway.com
We Respond
Reflection: This first psalm (a song or poem used in worship) tells the reader how to be blessed or truly happy. The blessed person will not listen to or go along with those who are doing what they know is wrong, nor will they stand with or protect those who are doing wrong, nor will they sit and chat with those who make fun of or ridicule others. Instead, the truly happy person delights themselves in what God says is right. They think about it all the time. They follow God’s instructions to live a productive and successful life. Those who don’t follow God’s plans and/or principles get blown away and will be judged. The Lord looks out for the people who live right (according to His loving plan), but those who go any other way will eventually be destroyed.
Prayer: Dear all-wise and loving God, thank You that You distinguish between the righteous and the wicked. I want to experience true joy in my life, not just mere, temporary happiness. So, please help me not to go along with those who are planning to do what I know is wrong, or stand guard for those who are doing it, or sit and chat with those who make fun of or ridicule others. Holy Spirit, help me to delight in the Lord and His Word: I realize I need to be mulling it over day and night. Then I will be like a fruitful tree, not afraid of drought or storm. I don’t want to be like those who do not know, trust, or obey You. They’re blown away and disrupted by the slightest gust of disagreement. They have no security and eventually will be judged for their godless behavior. Thank You, Lord, for knowing and directing the godly (including me) on the path of righteousness and stability. That is not the case of the wicked, those who don’t trust and obey You. I desire to live for the sake of Your Name, Lord. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
- I will investigate what the Bible (God’s book) says it takes to be blessed or happy.
- I will do at least one thing that it says every day.
- I will build a habit of pursuing true happiness.
- I will ask the Lord to lead me to someone I can help to do the same.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.
I just realized that this is how God wants His people to live in this or any age. To pursue blessedness or happiness in a relationship with their loving creator Father God. Following the advise in this psalm would have prevented them from making that first, fatal, bad choice.