Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of
the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
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, which yields its
fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does
prospers... For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
Psalm 1:1-3,6a NIV
Psalm 1:1-3,6a NIV
The first verse makes clear what 1 Corinthians 15:33
says: Do not be mislead: "Bad company corrupts good character."
It's interesting that every possible physical posture is
addressed, walking, standing, sitting. In what other posture could we be
found in to associate with another person?
From the Free On Live Dictionary: blessed is defined as:
"Bringing happiness, pleasure, or contentment."
So it would be reasonable to conclude that if one does not
associate with the "wicked, sinners, or mockers" they would have
greater happiness, pleasure and contentment.
Already I hear the arguments about Christians having
to be salt and light in a dark and dying world. What about Jesus'
ministry while on earth? How could anyone be saved if we're not to
associate with the 'sinners'?
What the psalmist is saying here is that Christians should
not be getting their advice or popular ideologies from the world. He says
as much by saying your delight is on thinking over the words of the
scriptures. Internalizing it in the heart and mind enables you to share
your wisdom that is given by God (through meditating on it) to those in the
world.
Also from the Free On Line Dictionary: delight =
Something that gives great pleasure or enjoyment. A word of
encouragement, makereading and memorizing
scripture fun. Reward yourself somehow in little ways when you do
so. You know what you like, just be moderate in your rewards.
I used to have maple trees on my property.In the spring time
when the sap would begin to run up the tree, we would drill holes and hammer in
a spout (also called 'tapping') and let some of the tree sap pour into a bucket
to be boiled down to the sweetest maple syrup. It sounds like a nice
family thing to do but the hard work that goes into it almost makes it not
worth while. Up until recently when we got battery powered drills, all
the taps had to be drilled by hand. The trees are just coming out of a
frozen Canadian winter and Maple wood is one of our hardest woods there.
This is what I think of when reading the psalmists words of ...like a tree
planted by streams of water,... Strong winds or storms cannot easily break
these majestic structures. The streams of water are the word of God, and
being filled with it will cause you to be fruitful when the time presents
itself to be salt and light to the world. He will prosper you.
It's a hard world out there, I don't have to tell you
that. Everyone is out there trying to get what they think belongs to them
and willing to do whatever it takes to get it. People can be difficult to
get along with if communication isn't clear, or if you are getting in their
way. Whether it's on the highway or on the job or in the grocery store,
if you don't look out somebody is going to take your place in line or your
promotion. Yet God says He "watches over the way of the
righteous." Nothing will come across your path without Him knowing
about it.
Where have you been walking lately?
Who have you been sitting with?
