The psalmist compares healthy spirituality to a flourishing tree
By Dean Collins
We get to choose whom we will listen to and from whom we receive advice and counsel for our lives. But Psalm 1 narrows our choices into two options: Take delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night; or walk, sit, stand, and live by the advice of those who are not aligned with God’s kingdom.
Psalm 1 describes the one who takes delight in God’s law as a productive tree planted by streams of water. This psalm implies that a healthy and well-nourished tree lives in harmony with the seasons. Healthy trees endure fall, winter, spring, and summer.
On the other hand, the psalmist tells us that to live and take counsel from sources that do not follow God’s order results in chaff, that is, the outer husks of grain that are blown away by the wind and through the harvesting process.
The proper decision
Psalm 1 makes it seem so obvious where we would choose to gain our wisdom and source of life. Once we make the proper decision, over time the choices for life, wisdom, and behavior become clearer and clearer. Repeated exposure to God’s truth on a daily basis, ongoing conversations with God throughout the day in prayer, and seeing the fruit God produces in us by his Holy Spirit make our decision process easier and more natural.
I don’t know that many of us would easily consider walking, living, and following the ways of those who are wicked. But what we might forget is that the enemy of God doesn’t present himself as evil to our minds but rather makes subtle suggestions that challenge God’s wisdom or authority. Reread the first 3 chapters of Genesis and consider how subtle the serpent was in deceiving Adam and Eve who may well have walked through the Garden just the evening before they gave into the enemy’s suggestions.
A natural process
Daily and constant fellowship with God, his Word, and other followers of Christ is essential to our ability to make choosing righteousness a natural process. When we find ourselves confused about the path we are to take, it is urgent that we turn to God and His word and seek wise counsel from someone who walks with God and exhibits the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. If the one you seek guidance from does not demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit then it is time to reconsider who you are listening to and following.
Your time with God’s Word
Psalm 1:1-6; Matthew 7:15-18, 20 ESV
Photo by andreusK at istockphoto.com
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