Psalm 1

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.

~Psalm 1:1-2

Last night I listened to a good friend teach Bible class. He spoke of the eternal importance of the voices we listen to. Do we listen to the always true, always holy voice of the Lord? Or do we allow the voice of Satan to wind his poisonous hooks around our heart?

Here we see the Psalmist describe a blessed man – he does not listen to mere humans (and especially not the wicked) but instead he immerses himself in true, beautiful, life giving words – the law of the Lord.

Think of the depth of concentration and study implied here. He “delights” in the law of the Lord (as in, he seeks it out, it gives him joy, it is rewarding to him). How does he study it? He meditates on it. Dictionary.com says that to meditate is “to engage in thought or contemplation; to reflect.” We often give scripture only a hurried glance throughout our day. And instead of reflecting on God’s words, we often meditate (dwell?) on things that are unhealthy and destroy our faith – our worries, our stress, what others have done to us, our failures, our lack of control. The Psalmist resists that very human urge and instead, “day and night” dwells on the words of the Lord. What is the result?

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.

~ Psalm 1:3

By meditating on God’s law, we grow! We are able to sink down deep roots so that we can stand firm and not be swayed when other voices clamor against the truth of God’s word. And here is growth that is steady and rich and productive – it gives fruit in its season. This growth is rewarding, not just for me but those around me!

So, today, beloved, what are we dwelling on? The past? The future? Our flaws? The frustrations of life?

Or on the perfect, life giving, beautiful words of God?

The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.

~ Isaiah 40:8