Bible Verse of the Day #22; The Man

Psalm 1 serves as an introduction to the book of Psalms. It contrasts two kinds of people. Each set as a distinct set of life principles in relation to God:
(1) Those who love God and do what His Word says is right are called "the righteous". They separate themselves from beliefs and behaviors that may be common in the world but are offensive to God.
(2) Those who follow believes and behaviors that defy God and reject God's Word are called "the wicked". God knows and blesses those who follow Him, but the ungodly have no part in God's kingdom (1Co 6:9) and will perish.
The distinction between these two kinds of people will always exist, and the separation between them will continue into eternity. The freedom of choice to accept or reject the opportunity God has provided to renew our broken relationship with Him determines which group a person belongs to.

Psalm 1

1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.

4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

6
For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

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The Man: who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked

The first verse in the book of Psalms emphasizes the distinction between the righteous and the wicked. True followers of God can be recognized, in part, by what they do, where they go and the company they keep. it is necessary to avoid things that are spiritually harmful and defiant in order to experience God's blessing and favor.

The Man: whose delight is in the law of God

True followers of God not only avoid evil, but they also build their lives around God's Word and actively serve His purposes. They try to obey God and follow His plans because they truly take pleasure in what God loves and desires. A godly person's action is motivated by love for God and a heart that has been changed and made new by the truth of God's Word.

The Man: who meditate day and night on God's law

Those who desire to live with God's blessing and favor meditate on God law in order to shape their thinking, attitudes, and actions in a positive way. Meditating on God's word involves reading a passage and thinking about it long and seriously to know it's meaning. It involves comparing it with other Bible passages and determining how to rightly apply the truth to one's life. When meditating on a passage in the Bible, it is helpful to consider the following questions:

How might God's Spirit be applying this verse to my present situation?
What is this passage teaching me about God's character?
Is there a promise here for me to recognize and claim?
Is this passage revealing a particular sin I must try to avoid?
Is God giving a command I must obey?
How should this truth affect my relationship with other people?
Is my spirit in harmony with what the Holy Spirit is saying?
Is the passage expressing a truth about God, salvation, sin, the world or my personal behavior that I need to understand better with the Holy Spirit's help?
Is there something in this passage I can thank or praise God for?
How can I grow closer to God in light of what He is showing me through His Word?

What will be the reward of "The Man"'s righteousness?

Those who faithfully pursue a deeper relationship with and a better understanding of God's Word will find guidance from the Holy Spirit. Since (in the Bible) water often represents God's Spirit (Jn 7:38-39), those who spend time in His Word and follow His instruction will also receive from the Spirit spiritual refreshment and power for life, much like drinking water that satisfies a thirst. The phrase "whatever he does prospers" does not mean that problems or failures will never occur. It means that a godly person will know God's purposes, experience His presence and recieve His peace. That is to say, that person will live in God's plans for his or her life in a fulfilling way.

The Wicked

Psalm 1 uses three thought-provoking pictures to describe those who resist God and choose to go their own way:
(1) they are like "chaff" (i.e., the dried coverings from grains ir grass seeds) blown away by forces they cannot see (Eph 2:2);
(2) they are the ones who will be condemned on the judgement day (Mal 3:2; Mt 25:31-46; Rev 6:17); and
(3) they are the ones who will perish for eternity.

I pray we will not perish in Jesus name. Amen.

Thanks for reading.
God bless you.
Shalom.

[NIV Study Edition Bible]

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