♦ July 15, 2025 ♦ Leave a comment


In What Do You Delight?

Psalms 1:1-3 (NRSV) 1 Happy are those

who do not follow the advice of the wicked,

or take the path that sinners tread,

or sit in the seat of scoffers;

2 but their delight is in the law of the LORD,

and on his law they meditate day and night.

3 They are like trees

planted by streams of water,

which yield their fruit in its season,

and their leaves do not wither.

In all that they do, they prosper.

 

How many times have you read this psalm?  Have you ever noticed the progression of this man’s journey? Initially he was lingering in the presence of the wicked. He was not following their advice YET, but the longer we spend time with those who are absent morals, the less inhibited we are.

 

Then he was walking the pathway of sinners. I have encouraged people for years to walk on the pathway of holiness.  Why? Because God said, “I am holy, be thou holy likewise.” It was not a suggestion.

 

Finally, the man in question sits with his wicked friends. We are not told how long the man remained in the company of these unjust people, just that he ultimately became comfortable enough to sit with them.

 

But the psalmist goes on to say that the person who delights in God’s law will be blessed and will even flourish. The person who makes right choices has a source of living water that never dries up.

 

May we choose to bypass the scoffers and the scorners, sitting instead with those who love the Lord with all of their heart.

 

In the name of the Father, and of m Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

I

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