“Wisdom for Life”

Scripture:

Psalm 1:1-2
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night. (NKJ)

Observation:

There is no doubt that God blesses those who are faithful to Him. There is also no doubt that those who follow the sinfulness of this wicked world will, one day, regret their choices (Proverbs 28:20). When our life-journey is under God’s gracious direction—when we follow His commands—our lives are, indeed, filled with blessings that bring joy.

Application:

While walking in obedience to the only true and Holy God, we learn to avoid the crafty and sin-filled devices of this wicked world, which if unabated, will trap us in the abyss of darkness that it so boldly embraces. God’s Word teaches us and His Holy Spirit empowers us to not only be gracious with those who have chosen to follow the world’s ungodly ways, but to also be a witness to God’s goodness and healing touch, rather than conforming to the ways of the world in order to be accepted among them. Even though we, too, are sinners by nature and continue to sin, we have been set apart from the wicked by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13). And by the power of His Spirit we are able to discern the company we keep so that we can remain justified by God’s grace and continue growing in our sanctification to live and love like Jesus (2 Peter 1:3). God’s people find no rest, nor pleasure in the company of the atheist and his scornful mocking of God and Christianity, of Heaven and Hell, and of sin and eternity, because God’s people have learned a much better philosophy that brings life to the fullest. Take heed, my friends, for the seat in which the scoffer sits is dangerously close to the gate that leads into eternal Hell. You must stay clear and flee from its grasp, because this seat of evil, that seems comfortable enough, will eventually swallow up those who wallow in it. Our gracious and loving God knows the way of the righteous even though it is often engulfed in fog and darkness. He knows that we all live under the cloud of storms and affliction, but still—He knows the hearts of those who truly love Him and seek to follow His Way. Embrace your Savior, dear ones, and He will surely embrace you in return, blessing greatly your life-journey with Him. This… is His never ending and never changing Promise!

Prayer:

Please empower me, O LORD, to listen only to your voice, for You are the Shepherd who knows us each by name. Help me embrace Your Truth as the way of life so you can bless my life-journey in ways that bring everlasting joy.

Amen