Psalm 1: Avoid Advice From Wicked People
Psalm 1 is one of my favorite Psalms because I came across it when I had to make some difficult decisions.
When I was in High School I always wanted to hang out with the cool kids, but realized quickly they sounded like this Psalm, so I stopped myself from getting into a huge problem before it became an issue in my life.
Psalm 1 gave me wisdom and direction at a time when I sorely needed it.
Psalm 1: Don’t Listen or Join The Wicked
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
Psalm 1:1-3
follow the advice of the wicked,was one of the things that made me realize what direction I needed to go.
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
4 But not the wicked!
Psalm 1:4-6
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Sinners will have no place among the godly.
6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.
The first thing that comes to me as I read Psalm 1, is that we all have a choice. It’s like life is a river, and we are sitting on our rafts.
We can choose what we want. One option is to sit idle and let the current flow, the other paddle in the direction we want to go.
I think the people who sit idle, are the ones in the most danger. Being still is great for a short period, but it also brings about lethargy.
What happens in life when a waterfall comes? Are you in shape enough to paddle away from it?
I know these are crazy metaphors, and it’s simplifying rather large choices, but it makes sense to me.
Psalm 1: What is the Message of Psalm 1?
Psalm 1 is a lesson. It’s telling us that we will become who we surround ourselves with.
Are the people around you driving you forward? Or are they ultimately going to hinder you? I’ve dealt with that question a few times in my life, and it’s given me a few sad conclusions.
Some of the people I’d spoken about above were angry when I stopped hanging out with them, and others just walked away. However, if people aren’t going to lift you, then you gotta let them go.
People who neglect God’s word are disconnected from their source of life. In John 1 we see that Jesus is the light and the source of life.
How Do People Become Evil?
I don’t think anybody ever sets out to “become” evil. I think they give themselves over to it. Sometimes it’s because they think God won’t forgive them. Maybe they think they’re unlovable? Or perhaps they just want power by whatever means necessary.
We all know from Star Wars that the dark side is the fastest way to power (in our universe too).
I think many people get caught up in a story, and that story gets away from them.
What Psalm 1 Teaches Us About Good Vs. Evil
There’s a belief in our world that good and evil have equal power, and that’s a lie. Evil is only a shadow of what good is.
Darkness is the absence of light. Which means darkness cannot stand up to the light.
However, the light side can lose the battle when the person chooses darkness. God left the choice up to each of us and it’s a choice we have to make daily.
What are you going to change today? How will you get yourself into action and transform your life? Following God is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, and life is difficult when following him. However, it’s also the most rewarding when I hear his voice.
It’s time to choose Jesus because he’s the only way.
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