The Pilgrim Path---Psalm One

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 the 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.

THE RIGHT PATH…

The LORD Jesus Christ came into the world to bring us eternal life and to show us how to live God’s way (and to empower us to live God’s way). We simply need to pay attention sincerely and obediently to Holy Scripture. When we fall, we ask His forgiveness---and turn from our way---back to Him. We ask for renewed zeal to follow on to glory---to bring Him glory! Thank the LORD, He helps His Own.

It is crucial to recall the place of the Word in our lives as the New Year begins. It is the fuel for faith that the Holy Spirit uses to grow us up and strengthen us---and draw us to Jesus---the Lover of our soul.

Prayerfully consider the verses of Psalm One. They stress the difference the Word makes in the lives of the LORD’S people---note the contrast of no Word-- in the lives of the wicked:

Verse 1---Walk---we must all “walk” with someone-- most of the time. The things we read and the people we are around-- have a life shaping influence upon us. So---who shapes your Life?

Verse 2---Weighty---the follower of Jesus Christ finds the Word of God to be the most incredibly weighty influence in his life. His delight is in the law of the LORD. Give the Word time in your life.

Verse 3---Withering---the things of the world naturally wither. They do not last. We will not abide here forever. The Scriptures open our hearts and eyes to the eternal world that will never fade. Eternity---lasting riches that will never pass away. Redemption in the God-Man---and a New Heaven and New Earth. Word-renewed people--- last forever (with their Savior).

Verse 4---Wicked people---those who have rejected the truth of the Word---are driven away like chaff in the wind…They have no real foundation (as strong as they may appear now).

Verse 5---Wicked souls have no standing in the Judgment: either our sins are upon our own head---OR-- the head of Jesus Christ the Redeemer. Those are the only two choices in the universe---when the judgment comes. Thanks be to God---by grace through faith---the righteousness of Jesus Christ may be ours---when we turn from “our way” to Him and ask His forgiveness! He receives ALL who come to HIM in faith believing!

Verse 6---Wicked souls perish---Please do not spurn the grace of God in Jesus! The fact you are not in hell “proves” HE is yet gracious toward You! Run to Him in this “space” of mercy! Notice Followers of Jesus: The LORD “knows” your way---He is intimately acquainted with what you are dealing with right now---where you are walking---and it is designed to draw you closer to Him and the truth of the Word. Tell Him your concerns and He will hear and help---for He is a gracious Master. Meet Him in the Word and think long and lastingly upon a portion of it---let Him speak to you through it. A little to start---more of the Word over time (five or ten minutes of genuine reflection--- make a big difference / beginning is half done---ask the Holy Spirit to assist you).

From Charles Haddon Spurgeon: The LORD is knowing the way of the righteous. He is constantly looking on their way, and though it may be often in mist and darkness, yet the LORD knoweth it. If it be in the clouds and tempest of affliction, he understandeth it…The righteous man plows the furrows of the earth, and sows a harvest here, which shall never be fully reaped till he enters the enjoyments of eternity; but as for the wicked, he plows the sea, and though there may seem to be a shining trail behind his keel, yet the waves shall pass over it, and the place that knew him shall know him no more forever. The very “way” of the ungodly shall perish. If it exist in remembrance, it shall be in the remembrance of the bad; for the LORD will cause the name of the wicked to rot, to become a stench in the nostrils of the good, and to be only known to the wicked themselves by its putridity. May the LORD cleanse our hearts and our ways, that we may escape the doom of the ungodly, and enjoy the blessedness of the righteous!

“The Word of God is the only adequate rule for all holy obedience. It is not to be found in our own imaginations or our inclinations. All that is commanded in the Word belongs to our obedience, and nothing else is binding. We are strictly directed neither to add to it nor to subtract from it…” John Owen

“Christ is as full a feast as ye can have to hunger.” Samuel Rutherford

HYMN

Word of the everlasting God,

Will of His glorious Son:

Without Thee how could earth be trod,

Or heaven itself be won?

LORD, grant us all a right to learn

The wisdom it imparts,

And to its heavenly teaching turn,

With simple, childlike hearts.

Bernard Barton (1784—1849)

Thank the LORD for the gift of His Word. Plan to turn to it every day in 2021. The Holy Spirit uses the Word to bring us light, joy, and peace!

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason