Suggested Bible Reading: Psalm 1-2; 15; 22-24
Devotional Thought:
Title: “You Choose: Obedience or Disobedience.”
In this first Psalm it is as if one is standing on two mountains. As when Joshua divided the tribes among the two mountains, so this first chapter is divided among two themes, obedience and disobedience. Verses 1-3 are, as it were, on Mount Gerizim, describing the blessedness of the obedient man. Verses 4-6 are on Mount Ebal, proclaiming the judgment of the disobedient person. The Psalm begins with “Blessed.” Blessed is a plural word, and an exclamation, “O the blessednesses. …” In this Psalm there are two men, two ways, two destinies, described as fruit and chaff, so it is in our lives today. We are either living in the joy of our obedience to Christ, or we are living the discouragement of a disobedient life. It is interesting that ancient Jewish tradition believed that at one time the first two Psalms was one. The repetition of several words would make this possible, but the difference in tone and content makes it, in my opinion, improbable. However, these two Psalms may be viewed as the introduction to the whole book of Psalms, as if the rest of the Psalms are but an exposition of the contents of these two. The blessed man is described both negatively and positively. He is a man separated from the world around him. We have discussed, on Sunday evenings, that there should be a greater contrast between the world and the Christian as the world waxes worse and worse and the Christian is conformed to the image of Christ.. The men of the world are described as ungodly, as sinners, and scornful. That man is blessed who will not walk with them, nor stand with them, nor sit with them. He will have nothing of their counsel, their way of life, nor their settled interests. The Psalmist not only tells what the blessed man will not do, but tells us what he actually will do. He will delight in the law of the Lord. True blessedness can only be found in a constant meditation in God’s Word. Whether in the daylight of prosperity and joy, or in the night seasons of affliction and sorrow, the believer’s only true resource for life is the word of God. There is a contrast presented in that the ungodly are like chaff. The wind will scatter them. They are light and lifeless and blow aimlessly in the winds of life. They are rootless, fruitless, and valueless. The true wheat is safe. It will abide, and that is assured, but the worthless chaff will be scattered by the wind and burned. So the doom of the ungodly is sealed. They will forever disappear. They will not stand in the judgment and they have no place among the righteous. It is a comfort to know that way of the righteous is being constantly observed by the Lord. Job said, “He knoweth the way that I take…” (Job 23:10) He may try me, Job admits, but in the end I will be as refined gold, precious and abiding. The way of the ungodly will perish. When the righteous inherit heaven and enter into the joy of the Lord the ungodly will go into everlasting punishment. What a fearful end, to be lost forever.
Personal Prayer Requests:
- Lord, please help me to live with the discernment to see the wickedness, foolishness, and emptiness of the way of the world. Help me to love your word.
- Lord, thank you for giving to us a declaration of your character. Thank you for the source of truth that leads us to a life of joy.
- Lord, please help me to delight in your word. To find real joy in denying my flesh and feeding my new spirit in Christ.