Psalm 1 (Amplified Bible)
1BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.
2But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.
3And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity].
4Not so the wicked [those disobedient and living without God are not so]. But they are like the chaff [worthless, dead, without substance] which the wind drives away.
5Therefore the wicked [those disobedient and living without God] shall not stand [justified] in the judgment, nor [b]sinners in the congregation of the righteous [those who are upright and in right standing with God].
6For the Lord knows and is fully acquainted with the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly [those living outside God's will] shall perish (end in ruin and come to nought).
Reflection of Bee:We are living in such a rat race, so busy everyday, from the moment we open our eyes till the the wee hours of the night when we close our eyes, from sunrise till sunset. At the end of the day we may still find emptiness within. We may need to slow down and live, not just exist.
During the current long public holidays I have a chance to sit back and be away from my busy work schedules. I thought about the meaning of life, the purpose of my existence, the people who crossed my path, etc. I even thought about death just like what another blogger did. Why am I born? Who am I living for? What is my worth? Sometimes I feel I am just a nuisance, just occupying space, am good for nothing...
But despite my feelings I want to know what God has to say about me. God's words are always true while my thoughts and feelings may be the lies from the devil or due to my own low self esteem. The devil likes to sow doubts and create uncertainties. I need to fight the enemy by looking at what God has to say about me instead of what I or others say about me.
In tonight's devotion, God says that a man/woman is blessed when...
1. he/she does not get the counsel of the wicked/ungodly/non-believers (he/she will only seek godly advice);
2. he/she delights in God's words and meditates on them daily;
3. he/she has a firm spiritual foundation and will bear fruits for Christ;
4. God knows his/her ways very well.
Dear Lord,
As unworthy as I am, I want to come before You for Your words to purify my heart. Let my mind be filled with Your words and not the words of the enemy. I pray that I will bear forth fruits and that my fruits will remain because I want to abide in You, my vine. I pray You will encourage me through Your words and Your people whenever I feel down. I pray for love and unity, care and concern to be shown amongst Your children, that the world may know Your love.
In Jesus' name I pray.
Reflection of Tommy:
The verses in today’s Psalm clearly show the difference between a faithful and faithless person. A faithless life is meaningless; it is like dust or chaff that can be easily blown away by winds and storms in life. They drift along without direction and purpose, constantly seeking fulfillment from things that neither satisfies nor lasts, and all end with nothing but despair and regret when their time on earth is over.
But, for the faithful, life offers opportunities to achieve things that are worthwhile, significant and eternal. Instead of being blown away by circumstances, God will always watches over us, giving us strength and peace through difficult times. He nourishes and renews us each day so that we will bear good fruit that honor Him. He will guide and prepare us for eternity.
Dear Father, thank You for Your Word that teaches me each day to follow You more closely. Lord, lead me to meditate on them day and night, keeping them in my heart that I may be nourished to bear good fruit that are pleasing to You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
If we were to examine our lives closely, chances are we will find ourselves ‘enslaved’ in one way or another to some form of idols, that seem exciting and can fulfill us much. Idols like money, fame and success often rob us of our time, energy and devotion that ought to be directed to God and our freedom to be who God wanted us to be.
