Psalm 1

One thing everyone should know about me is that I love the book of Psalms. Every time I read it, I find myself immensely encouraged and refreshed. It seems like I am always reading new passages that have a groundbreaking affect on my life and they always fill me with awe at the power of the word of God. I do regret that I don't know the book of Psalms better and that I've never fully studied it, so here I am, attempting to start a journey... My plan is to study a new Psalm each day, journal about it and then choose a section of the Psalm to meditate on throughout the day. So... here goes...

Psalm 1 is titled: "The way of the Wicked and Righteous" and in the study notes of my bible it says that this Psalm reminds the readers that at the end of the day, there is only two ways to live your life.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (Psalm 1 ESV)

The Wicked: people who refused to live by the covenant, "walk, stand, sit" metaphors referring to being "loyal". "Chaff that the wind drives away", those who reject God's covenant are life chaff meaning that they bring no benefit to anyone. (yikes! :-/ )

The Righteous: delight in the law of the LORD, and meditate on it day and night, the Lord knows their ways. Law of the LORD is probably referring to His covenant with His people. Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise. His covenant is one filled with "grace". It's important to remember that. This passage could totally be taken the wrong way and make people feel like we need to earn our righteousness but really, we need to think about the greatness of God's covenant with His people. It really is something to delight in! Jesus is our delight!

The end of this chapter brings a harsh reality that our lives will end one of two ways. The wicked are going to perish for forever and the righteous will be united with Jesus for all eternity. Of course, the latter option is not so harsh... I'm personally GREATLY looking forward to worshipping Jesus and falling on my face in awe of His awesomeness, however, I am heartbroken for those who don't know Him. I hate how I take each conversation for granted, how I shirk away from talking about Jesus and how sometimes I stifle the spirit with my own plans.

Oh God, that you would use me to bring more of your children to You. Inconvenience my plans, shatter them, give me your eyes, focus and love for your people. Let me not take my own salvation for granted but let me live in the joy of knowing that I am saved by your grace and that I will one day be with you forever. Thank you for your covenant to your people, thank you for fulfilling your promises and thank you for sending your son! What a perfect plan and what a perfect God you are! I'm honored to be called your daughter.