Which Way Are We Going? Psalm 1
Have you ever been lost? I certainly have: In 2017, I was in Israel and I got lost in Tel Aviv. That was not pleasant and I was by myself, not speaking the language and my phone was dead - no Google Maps. It was certainly an adventure. I just headed West and knew I would hit water. I found the old City of Joppa and headed North along the shore back to where I was staying.
There are heaps of lessons in the inspired words of Psalm 1. They serve as an introduction to the book of Psalms. This opening psalm sets the tone for the entire book of Psalms by highlighting the stark contrast between the ways of the righteous and the wicked. It makes us consider the paths we choose and reveals the blessings that accompany a life devoted to God.
I. The Way of the Righteous (Psalm 1:1-3):
The psalm begins by emphasizing the blessedness of the righteous, those who delight in and meditate on the Law of the Lord, day and night. The righteous are compared to a firmly planted tree by streams of water, bearing fruit in due season. Here are three key aspects we can learn from their example:
Separation from the wicked: The psalmist advises us not to walk in the counsel of the wicked, stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of scoffers. This does not imply complete isolation from unbelievers but rather a deliberate avoidance of their sinful influence. We are called to be in the world but not of the world, allowing God's Word to guide our decisions.
Delight in God's Word: The righteous find joy and pleasure in the Law of the Lord. They are not burdened by it, but recognize it as a source of guidance, wisdom, and instruction. By regularly engaging with Scripture, we develop a deeper understanding of God's character, His will for our lives and the path that leads to true fulfillment.
Consistent meditation: The psalmist encourages us to meditate on God's Word, day and night. This means pondering, reflecting, and applying His precepts to our lives. By constantly turning our minds toward the truths found in Scripture, we develop a solid foundation for our faith and grow in spiritual maturity.
II. The Way of the Wicked (Psalm 1:4-6):
The psalm takes a somber turn as it contrasts the righteous with the wicked. The wicked are depicted as chaff blown away by the wind, with no lasting value or significance. There are two important truths we can glean from this portion:
The consequences of wickedness: The psalmist reminds us that the wicked will not stand in the judgment nor find a place among the congregation of the righteous. The choices we make in this life have eternal consequences. Those who reject God's ways and follow the path of sin will face ultimate separation from Him and His people.
God's watchful eye: The psalm assures us that the Lord knows the way of the righteous. He intimately observes and cares for those who follow Him. In contrast, the way of the wicked leads to destruction. God's justice will ultimately prevail, and every individual will be held accountable for their choices.
Here are some practical applications we can draw from Psalm 1:
1. Guard your influences: Evaluate the counsel, friendships, and media you allow into your life. Surround yourself with people and resources that align with God's Word and will encourage your spiritual growth. Be cautious of the ideas and values promoted by the world, ensuring they do not compromise your faith.
2. Cultivate a love for God's Word: Set aside time each day to read and study the Bible. Approach it with a genuine desire to know God better and understand His will for your life. Consider using devotionals, Bible study guides, or joining a small group to enhance your understanding and application of Scripture. We encourage you to subscribe to the daily readings – the Rapp Ups. But do something.
3. Meditate on Scripture: Take intentional moments throughout your day to reflect on the truths you have read in the Bible.
4. Pursue consistency: Make the study of God's Word a regular part of your life. Establish a routine and be disciplined with it. Consistency breeds familiarity and that deepens your relationship with God and other believers.
5. Bear fruit in due season: As you grow in your faith and knowledge of God's Word, seek opportunities to share His love and truth with others. Allow the Holy Spirit to produce the fruit of the Spirit in your life (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) and be a living testimony of God's transforming power. Recognize the season. Take note of the time, as well as how much time you are spending on certain things.
6. Embrace God's watchful care: Trust that God is intimately aware of your journey. Even in challenging times, remember that He sees your commitment to righteousness and is with you every step of the way.
This Psalm highlights the blessedness that comes from aligning our lives with God's Word. It encourages us to separate ourselves from the ungodly influences of the world, delight in God's Law, and meditate on it consistently. As we embrace this path, we experience spiritual growth, fruitfulness and the watchful care of our Heavenly Father.
Most of us have been physically lost at some point, not knowing exactly where we are. Such an experience can be quite traumatizing. We know where we should be and we aren’t there. The tragedy is that we have an epidemic of people around us who are lost spiritually. They don’t know they are lost and as a result have no concern. Yet the consequences of this lost state are eternal.
Our job is to highlight and show the right way by introducing them to the Way, the Truth and the Life – the Lord Jesus Christ. Why? Because Jesus said wide is the path to destruction and many travel upon it, but narrow and difficult is the way that leads to eternal life. Assess your pathway this morning by doing a quick check. 1. Is the pathway you are on, one of separation from wicked counsel and practice? 2. Is your pathway illuminated by the Word of God. Psalm 119:105 says God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. 3. Continually assess, spend time in prayer and seek counsel from God and others who know and love you; be surrounded by people who you know will hold you accountable with your words and actions.
Finally, encourage others to join the path. Get involved. A good way to do it: the Alpha Course starts on the 26th July, Wednesday night. It is specifically for non-Christians. Invite, Invite, invite: Coffee and food will be there.
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CBC’s Vision: To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Sermon: “Which way are we going” Psalm 1
a. Have you ever been lost? What was it like and for how long?
b. We are told that the way of blessing is when we delight ourselves in the Lord and turn away from ungodly counsel. This is easier said than done at times. Reading and meditating on the Scriptures is given as a remedy. How is this the case? What is your present reading/studying program?
c. The promise is that you will bear fruit in season. What season are you in? Have you been in a tough season? Did you still bear fruit for Christ at that time?
d. Some people are spiritually lost. On the 26th July, a Wednesday night, we will be running our first Alpha night for non-Christians. Who can you invite to that first evening?
e. Pray for the events we have coming up.