In The Word
Read: Psalms 1-2
The Righteous and the Wicked Contrasted.
1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like 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, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish.
The Reign of the Lord’s Anointed.
2 Why are the nations in an uproar
And the peoples devising a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth take their stand
And the rulers take counsel together
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!”
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then He will speak to them in His anger
And terrify them in His fury, saying,
6 “But as for Me, I have installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”
7 “I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord:
He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,
And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.
9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron,
You shall shatter them like earthenware.’”
10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11 Worship the Lord with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
There is a word that begins Psalm 1 and ends Psalm 2: blessed. “How blessed is the one,” and, “How blessed are all,” are the opening and ending phrases. The word blessed means to have the joy and satisfaction that comes from knowing you are right with God. While our reading begins and ends with the declaration or promise that those who are right with God will be blessed, it is what is in between that reveals two ways that we achieve this blessedness. The one who is blessed lives a life in obedience to God. They abstain from corrupt relationships and follow the Lord’s instructions. In fact, the one who is right with God meditates on His instructions day and night. By doing so, we find our joy and satisfaction.
The one who is blessed also lives a life that is conforming to Jesus Christ (the Anointed One). We are to tear off our chains and free ourselves from the restraints of rebellion. It is when we submit to the authority of Jesus Christ that we find this blessedness and happiness. Those who are blessed are being changed in Him.
We are to stop our rebellion and let our delight be in the Ancient Paths of righteousness. We are to run to the safety of Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Then we will be like the tree that bears fruit and does not wither. Then, and only then, will we prosper in faith.