who does not follow[a] the advice of the wicked
or take[b] the path of sinners
or join a group[c] of mockers!
2 Instead, his delight is in the LORD’s instruction,
and he meditates on it day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted beside streams of water[d]
that bears its fruit in season[e]
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
4 The wicked are not like this;
instead, they are like chaff that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not survive[f] the judgment,
and sinners will not be in the community of the righteous.
instead, they are like chaff that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not survive[f] the judgment,
and sinners will not be in the community of the righteous.
6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.
but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.
-Psalm 1 (HCSB)
For the past while, we've been studying about walking in the paths that God has revealed to us. As I was praying and asking God what to write today, He led me to Psalm 1. I think this Psalm illustrates the life we must live, and the one we must avoid.
Verse 1 says, "How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path of sinners or join in a group of mockers." The Psalmist says that the one who stays away from these evil lifestyles will be happy, they will be blessed. Let's look at these ways we are told to avoid. We should not follow the advice of the wicked. If we are going to live our lives focused on God, we should not seek the advice of those who do not live for God. I can't understand the popularity of these psychic readers, or these 1-800-psychic numbers that so many people call and waste money on. As a Christian, everything you need and everything you need to know about the future is right in the Word of God, all you have to do is study it. Instead of calling one of those 1-800-psycho numbers for advice, why not call out to God, and listen for His response.
We also need to stay away from the path of sinners. The path that those who are not followers of God is one we must avoid. How can we do the will of God in our lives if we are not following the path He set out for us? Jesus said in Matthew 7:13, "Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it." The road that leads to Hell is wide and broad, and there are many on that road. Friends, if you are on that road, then you can't expect it to lead to Heaven. We, as Christians, must avoid advice of the wicked and we must avoid the path that leads to Hell
We must also make sure we don't join in a group of mockers. Paul writes in Galatians 6:7, "Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap" People try to live the double life, being Christian on Sunday, when they are with other Christians, and then living the sinful life on Monday, when they are with those outside the church. Among the definitions for the word "mocker" is a counterfeit or an imitation.* There will not be an imitation god, or a counterfeit god. God is God, and we can't serve Him and sin at the same time. Those who try mock God because they don't follow His commands. We must avoid the advice of the wicked, and we must avoid the path of the sinners, and we must avoid those who mock the Lord.
What should we do if we desire to stay away from these vile lifestyles? I believe verse 2 has the answer. "Instead, his delight is in the LORD’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night." As Christians, our delight should be in the Lord and in His Word. The Psalmist says we should meditate on the Word day and night. We read in Joshua 1:8, "This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite[a] it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do." The Word of God shall always be a top priority in our lives. Look at the instructions of God for Joshua. "carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do." How can we obey the things written in God's Word if we don't know they are in there? That is why we must spend time studying the Word. For when we obey it, we will succeed in what we're called to do. Is your delight in the Word of God?
Finally, what is the benefits to staying away from those vile lifestyles, and meditating on the Word of God? Verse 3 shares that answer. "He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." The person who stays away from the evil lifestyles and stays in the Word of God is like a well watered tree. That tree produces much fruit and does not die from a lack of nutrients. Likewise, for the person who feeds their faith with the nutrients of God's Word, the faith will grow and produce fruit in their lives. You can't expect your faith to grow if you don't give it the proper nutrients. Notice the end of that verse. "Whatever he does prospers." We will prosper because we are doing what God has called us to do.
Are you staying away from the course of evil? Or, are you running to it? If you want to live the successful life as a Christian, then you must stay away from evil and stay in the Word. Is that you? Think About It.
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