Psalm 1 for January 1

January 1 2015 - Psalm 1

1 Blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.

There is a way for us humans to be happy.  We can position ourselves for true prosperity by being happy in You, Lord.  I may never be rich with money but true happiness doesn’t mean we are rich.  I can be a fulfilled person if my delight is in You, Lord Jesus.  

2 But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.

I will not lean on this world’s faulty precepts or their culture’s advice.  I will not relax down here with the scornful wasting my life on their luxuries.  I will delight and desire Your Word and Your Law of Love and Your Wisdom.  I will habitually meditate and ponder and study Your Word and make it and prayer a priority this year like never before.  I will not miss my time with You because this world as absolutely nothing for me.  

3 And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity].

I want to be like a strong and healthy tree planted by a river of life.  I want to bear fruit.  I want to have a leaf that does not wither and I want to prosper Your Church and those I love. I want to come to maturity in Christ.

“Down at Johnson’s creek the trees grow tall.

Like a man who feeds his soul on Your Word.” - Rich Mullins

4 Not so the wicked [those disobedient and living without God are not so]. But they are like the chaff [worthless, dead, without substance] which the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the wicked [those disobedient and living without God] shall not stand [justified] in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous [those who are upright and in right standing with God].

I don’t want to be a flash in the pan and be like chaff dissipated in the winds of a changing culture and scattered by the storms of life.  I do not want to be worthless and dead and without substance I want to be able to stand before You justified fully in the righteousness of Jesus.  

6 For the Lord knows and is fully acquainted with the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly [those living outside God’s will] shall perish (end in ruin and come to nought).  I want to make You proud.  I have so far to go.  I want to be with You, Lord.  Please help me this year as I pursue You.  Please help me be more like You this year.  Please give me Your wisdom and power to serve You.  Please make me a blessing to others this year and help me to see things Your way.  Help me help the people see that the ways of this world are coming to an end but that life with You is strong and sturdy and forever.  Please have mercy on my church and town and province and nation.  Help those who experienced that earthquake to think of it as a loving warning sign that they should be right with You because without You we are all so vulnerable.