Day 9 of 21: January 19, 2023
Scripture
Psalm 1:1-3 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, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. 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.
Observation
David is not only describing the blessing of the righteous but the also the progression of sin in our lives. It starts with walking with others that practice sin, then stopping and standing in the same place as sinners, then finally resting with those that mock God and others. We need to be careful who we give our time to and align with, because it will eventually determine who we become and where we are going.
David then contrasts this with someone who prospers in every season and in every situation. The defining factor? God’s word. When you get into God’s word, His word starts to get into you. It will cause you to come to know and love God and begin to do what He says. When His word starts bringing blessings in our lives, we will start to love it instead of seeing it as a restriction.
Delighting yourself in God’s word is an essential step in knowing God and experiencing His blessing in your life.
Application
Studying the Scriptures is the most foundational discipline. It will determine how you pray, how you see, how you walk, and ultimately how you will spend eternity. Begin to develop a regular habit of reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating on God’s word. When you do, don’t jump around from this verse to that. It is a book made of 66 smaller books. Read them like books – start at the beginning and proceed until the end. You will not only see what God is saying, but discover the broader context in which He is saying it.
Prayer
Lord, I love You. Thank You for today. Help me to develop a discipline in reading and meditating upon Your word. Help me to love Your law so that I don’t walk, stand, or sit with sin in my life. Amen.