Psalm 1:1-6
“Happy are those who reject the advice of evil people, who do not follow the example of sinners or join those who have no use for God. Instead, they find joy in obeying the Law of the Lord, and they study it day and night. They are like trees that grow beside a stream, that bear fruit at the right time, and whose leaves do not dry up. They succeed in everything they do. But evil people are not like this at all; they are like straw that the wind blows away. Sinners will be condemned by God and kept apart from God's own people. The righteous are guided and protected by the Lord, but the evil are on the way to their doom.” Psalm 1:1-6 (GNT)
When I was growing up, I sometimes got into trouble because I had friends that liked to do things that weren’t nice or just made neighbors mad at us. My only crime was hanging with them and getting caught with them. My mother would look at me and say, “If you’re going to get caught with the crows, you’re going to suffer with the crows.” It took me a few years to really understand what she was saying (I admit to being a slow learner at times!) and her low opinion of crows. She grew up in rural areas, and crows were regarded as pests to gardens and food supplies. Likening some of my friends to crows made much more sense as I grew older, and I did finally learn to look at them in terms of how they matched up with God’s law and how they prospered.
The Psalm is very plainly written about the difference in the people who follow God and those who don’t. Happiness is based on rejecting the advice and living style of those who reject God, and joy is found in following the Law of God. Who doesn’t want more happiness and joy in their lives? Evil people are like straw that is blown away, and will be condemned by God.
The Psalm divides people into two camps, and we often say we’re among the godly automatically, without recognizing that we are sinners too. We can’t be like trees growing by a stream without God’s forgiveness every day. Without asking for forgiveness, we fool ourselves into thinking we are godly, when really we are risking being the straw that the wind blows away. Being righteous is a daily communication with God, His Law, and His promises, and will certainly guide and prosper you. Hanging around people with little use for God can have disastrous results in your life. Do you really want to suffer with the crows?
Questions for Reflection:
- Do you have requirements for those people that you spend your time with?
- Do you try to be righteous before you ask for forgiveness?
Prayer
Thank you for your promises of happiness and joy when we follow you. Help us to reject the teachings of those who reject you, and study Your Word daily. Let us be like trees planted by streams, that bear fruit, and don’t dry up. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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