September 23, 2013
Psalm 1:1-3
(All scripture is from the New King James Version unless otherwise indicated.)
OK, for this blog we are going to get to Psalm 1:1 through 3!
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in
the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the
law of the LORD; and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like
a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season,
whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
We examined verse one of this Psalm in the June 28 blog called Sinner’s Progression. But today I want to concentrate on verse two.
But first, let’s remember where we were in Friday’s blog. We took what we discussed in last Wednesday’s blog – the eight qualities Paul listed in Philippians 4:8 in which he told us to “…meditate [or think] on these things,” – and examined whether they would fit the Word of God, the Bible. Remember, Paul told us, only things with these qualities are we to allow into our minds! These qualities are: Is it true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy? If whatever you are considering does not meet the standard of manifesting these eight qualities, then don’t let it into your life! Do not watch it, listen to it, read it, talk about it, etc.
But we found that all eight qualities do apply to the Bible. And the Bible applies to every area of life which we can ever face. If this is true, then we need to concentrate on the Bible. And this is exactly what is emphasized in the Word of God! Read again Psalm 1:2: “…his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law he meditates day and night.” How often does the blessed man meditate in God’s law? “…day and night.” That does not leave a lot of time in which he is not meditating on it! Be aware that in Jewish thinking, God’s law was the entire scripture they had in the psalmist’s day.
God told Joshua the same thing in Joshua 1:7 and 8:
Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to
all the law which Moses My servant commanded you: do not turn from it to
the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This
book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in
it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written
in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have
good success.
“… do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left…but you shall meditate in it day and night” If you read about Joshua’s exploits as he conquered the Promised Land for Israel to occupy, you will see he surely prospered and had good success. So he must have heeded God’s command to meditate in and obey His Word.
And in Dueteronomy 11:18 and 19, God commanded Moses to tell the Israelites:
Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul
….You shall teach them your children, speaking of them when you sit in thine
house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Same idea! Take in God’s Word all the time because – as we saw before – it is always true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy. Paul summed it up in Colossians 3:16 by saying, “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly….” That way, when the things of life squeeze you – and they will! – what will be squeezed out of your life will be the Word of God!
Now this all sounds like it will result in a very narrow mindset – if you concentrate of the Bible day and night! Remember, the world around you will continually try to force its input into your mind and life. But if you have soaked your life in the Word of God, it acts as a filter to let in and receive what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy – and reject the rest!
So concentrate of the Word of God. I guarantee it will change your life for the better…because God guarantees it!