Psalm 1 Study Short Devotional

 Psalm 1 Study

Published October 31, 2024

Thursday’s Daily Word and Thought Journal (By: Yusun Beck)

 

 

Psalm 1

 

“1How blessed is the man who ^(A)does not walk in the ^(B)counsel of the wicked,
         Nor stand in the ^(C)path of sinners,
         Nor ^(D)sit in the seat of scoffers!
    2But his ^(E)delight is ^(F)in the law of the LORD,
         And in His law he meditates ^(G)day and ^(H)night.
    3He will be like ^(I)a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
         Which yields its fruit in its season
         And its leaf does not wither;
         And in whatever he does, ^(J)he prospers.
    4The wicked are not so,
         But they are like ^(K)chaff which the wind drives away.
    5Therefore ^(L)the wicked will not stand in the ^(M)judgment,
         Nor sinners in ^(N)the assembly of the righteous.
    6For the LORD ^(O)knows the way of the righteous,
         But the way of ^(P)the wicked will perish.”  (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%201;&version=49;)

 

People often say that God is complicated, and the New Testament is more important than the old.  However, I submit that both the old and New Testament work together.  If there were any book to prove such a thing, it would have to be Psalms.  There are others, but for now I am focusing on the relevance of Psalms in today’s life.  This one has a very real application.  It talks about our path, the law, stability, and consequences which all still very much apply in today’s society.  So, what is the beginning of our process to live?

 

The beginning of our process to life is the path we choose.  Simply put, there are two paths.  One path in life leads to Jesus Christ.  The other path leads to death and Hell.  I would not judge anyone, for it is God’s job.  I am still learning myself in fact.  Unfortunately, those that try their own path are to be judged by a righteous God without blemish.  This is the beginning of the path for sinners; it is choosing to take God’s role in our own life instead of letting God have control.  These people accept the counsel of the wicked because they have no clear concise ideals.  Now, this may be the path of sinners.  However, what happens if a Christian who is saved chooses to sin.  Truth be told, the rain falls on both the wicked and the righteous.  I believe that the law is like a law of gravity.  If one has sex out of marriage, they risk STD.  If one speeds, they risk getting into an accident.  There is a first consequence, and then there is the second death.  Christians may escape the first death, but it is only by God’s mercy that we escape the law of those mistakes we make on earth.

 

In this thought, the law is written on everyone’s heart.  Every man is accountable for their actions.  God loves us all, but if we choose to not trust God’s law then we shall surely be enemies of God.  How do we live in God’s law if we all have done wrong though?  The best way to meditate on God’s law is to focus on Christ who is our provision, or sacrifice for our sins.  You may think I am saying to do wrong and use Christ’s grace to justify wrong.  This doctrine is a lie.  One should never take Christ’s grace for granted.  For example, there is a difference between a man using the law of gravity and science to build an airplane and another man jumping off of a cliff.  Both realize that there is consequence, but only one is trusting in the laws in place to fly to a better understanding.  The man who jumped off the cliff ignoring the law or in obstinacy to the law has died, and he looks foolish.  Which is why following the law leads to stability.

 

How often has a criminal been killed by another criminal in his own team?  To choose to sin and stay among wicked counsel is to ask for your own destruction.  This leads to an unstable life and some horrible consequences.  Elaborating on this aspect will become redundant.  Let me just come from this angle…  God loves you and wants the best for you personally.  This means that, like a parent, God will lead you and guide you if you trust Him.  In other aspects of God, He is gentle…  He will not force you to choose.  In the end though, every knee will bow.  This is what will lead to the second death.  Every moment we live is a chance to be righteous by choosing to stay on the path to Christ.  Which direction will you choose?

 

Daily I ask that question as a reminder, but I am already and always going to choose Christ.  After a while of flying on the jet, you realize that there is no better way to get around.  It is the fastest way to reach your destination.  My final destination is Christ because there is no other way to heaven.  Most importantly, I love God, and there is no one else who is more worthy of my love even if my entire life turned to Hell and everything fell apart, God is really the only option and the only person worthy of all love, praise, and glory.  If I don’t praise God, then surely the rocks will.  My path is Christ which is the path of righteousness.  God’s law is written on my heart, and I shall focus on Christ so that I stay within His law.  God is my rock, and as such, He will keep me grounded and my end shall be with Him.