“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.”
Psalm 1:1-2
David, the author of this 1st Psalm, sets the
stage for what is to come within the Psalms by stressing right from the start
how we are to act with regard to our relationship to our God. Walking with the
Lord is something a believer does. It’s an action he takes that distinguishes
him from the rest of the unbelieving world.
David
chooses to use the word blessed, which is a much better word to use here
than simply being happy. Being blessed
insinuates that the recipient enjoys God’s special favor and grace.
Take
notice of the three action words that David uses to describe what a righteous
man must avoid; they represent a downward spiral of progression. A godly man must not walk, stand or
sit with sinners. The godly man, while
living amongst the ungodly, must set himself apart by the way he lives his
life. We are to seek the approval of
Almighty God and not man.
The
godly man will love the Word of the Lord in its entirety. We must not cherry pick the one or two verses
that we like and side step all others.
We either trust that God’s Word is wholly true and just or it’s
not. It’s our choice. If we say we believe in God yet neglect or
distrust His word, we will be like a rudderless ship going any which way
without the means to be guided.
God
desires to be a part of our entire lives, not just a portion of it. He doesn’t wish to have your Sunday mornings
and nothing else. He is looking for our
voluntary dedication. Getting to know
His word is a good start down the path to discipleship. We are to grow in the grace and knowledge of
Christ, all the while seeking to imitate Him in all we think, say and do. Until next time, walk with the King and be a
blessing!
