May 4, 2025

May 4   Psalm 1

When we read Psalm 1 we see the contrast of two different lives.  One is focused away from God and pursues their own path.  The other pursues the ways of God.  
The warning in this passage is that  we can be influenced by people towards evil and sin.  If we surround ourselves with people who are not living for God it makes it difficult to live for God.  In fact, most likely we will start thinking and acting like the world because of the influence of those around us. We must be careful who we listen to.

The flip of the one walking in the way of the wicked is the one walking in the way of God's Word and God's will.  They can delight in the law because righteousness is appealing to them. They see sin for what it is.  What is the focus of their mind?  God's Word.  They meditate on God's Word day and night.  Meditation is often understood in our current day as some sort of "clearing of the mind".  In reality what God is saying is this verse is not to empty your mind, but fill it with the right thing. If our focus is on God's Word and it is not merely our thought at devotional time, but our focus every moment of our day we will be heading in the direction God wants us to go.  Instead of pursuing sin we will be pursuing holiness.

There are two ways to go in this life.  We can either live for God or in opposition to God.  Living in opposition to God always leads to destruction.  Living in relationship with God always leads to glory and peace and hope.  The Christian life that is focused on God's Word and obedience is a life of purpose and meaning.  It is not a recipe for a life of ease, but rather a life truly worth living.  Choose carefully who you listen to. Choose carefully what you fill your mind with. Be very careful that you do not let any person (our your self) take the place of influence in your life that only Jesus should have.