Click here to read Psalm 1.
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Psalm 1:3 "He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither."
ReplyDeleteI spent a summer in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming and one of my favorite pictures I took is of a majestic tree growing right on the edge of Mirror Lake with the incredible Mount Moran in the background.
I want to be like that tree- constantly refreshed by the cool water and brilliant sun. I want to reflect the love of Christ for all to see. And I want to "bear fruit in my season." What does that mean? That I shouldn't expect to constantly be "bearing fruit"; everyone needs a dormant season to reflect, renew,, revitalize, and grow. But keep your roots in the life-giving water of Jesus and you can expect to bear bushels of fruit for Him at harvst time.
Lord, help me to remain in you today.
Neat, Karen! I picked out the same verse to journal on. I like your observation about bearing fruit in season.
ReplyDeleteVerse 1, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers."
ReplyDeleteI can be blessed by God by not doing. I often think that God's blessing comes from the doing - prayer, worship, Bible study, investing and inviting, serving, small group (and it does). It is just as much a conscious choice not to live the faithless life. God blesses that choice to live in His integrity instead of giving into the ways of this world.
I want to think more today about why the Psalmist used the words, "walk in the counsel", "stand", and "sit." Why those phrases? What is the underlying message here beyond the words. Is it that when someone is doing this that person is unable to mediate on the word of God day and night? Just some questions I am pondering.
This may be a wrong interpretation of Scripture, but I can't get this thought out of my mind after reading it over several times. I found it interesting in verse 1 & 2 that in order to be productive follwers of Christ, we need to first avoid sin, and then pursue God's word.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if this is intentional by the psalmist. Sin is so prevalent in our world, today. Is it so prevalent that we must first flee or avoid temptation to sin before we can become clear to pursue time with God?
I do know that my idle time can easily get consumed with thoughts of doing things unproductive, when I could be spending time in His word. I am not necessarily fleeing from temptation (if left alone with my thoughts long enough I probably will), but the outcome of my idle time is not producing any spiritual fruit, nonetheless.
It is when my mind is idle that I think temptation is at it's strongest. My idle times should be consumed by God through prayer and meditation of His word. That is my focus for this year. Not to waste time, but have quality time with my Father.
"Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
ReplyDeleteFor the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,but the way of the wicked will perish."
In Psalm 1 the righteous are depicted by the tree and the wicked by the chaff. Often times I wonder how God can love the wicked. However, when I look back at my life I know there were times when God found it hard to love me. It is promising to know that no matter what you do God will be there to guide you.
My prayer is that God will continue to lead me on the path to righteousness and inspire me to help the wicked turn their life over to Christ. I long to be that tree that Karen described above.
Rich, I liked what you wrote about "idle time." I like your idea of filling your idle time through prayer and meditation on his word.