My church is doing a project called 100 Days of Psalms: our pastor is preaching on one psalm each Sunday. Today the sermon focused on Psalm 1. This week we are to read Psalms 2-7, one per day. Then, next Sunday the sermon will be about Psalm 8. This pattern will continue until we finish reading and meditating on the first 100 poems in the book of Psalms. Our pastor implied that if we read each psalm and meditate and ask God to open His Word to us, we will reap blessing. I’m feeling fairly dry, spiritually, these days, and I could use the blessing. So, here goes.
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
I want to delight in the Lord and in His way. I want to be like a tree, stable and fruitful. I believe that God is watching over my life, that I have been made righteous in Christ, and that by His grace, I can stand among those who are upheld and guided by His hand. “For by grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
But sometimes it’s a struggle. Life is hard, and I don’t know how to do it right about 99% of the time. I don’t think the psalm is supposed to be discouraging, but I don’t feel like much of a tree.
What I learned: Walk by faith and not feelings. I will do the best I can, and God will have to do the rest. Or not. “Here I stand; I can do no other. God help me. Amen.”
Thank you.
The thing I learn from this Psalm is to meditate on God’s word. It’s important to read some of it every day to keep focused on God and what’s important. I’m challenging the 5th grade boys in my S.S. class to start reading their Bible through the week and then share with us a verse that they found that says to do or not do something. I just finished I Peter which is a short book packed with practical things we are to do. I like to use a chart of the chapters in the Bible to keep track of what I’ve read and work toward reading it all through for the second time. Everyone goes through dry spells, hang in there!
Yes, blessings on your study. God’s Word does not return void (Is 55:11)
Thanks, Sherry. The Psalms are always so comforting to me.
A wonderful lady I work with reads through the Psalms systematically in her daily quiet time. I like the system: on the first day of the month, read Psalms 1, 31, 61, 91, 121. On the second day, read Psalms 2, 32, 62, 92, 122. Continue through the year and you will have read through the Psalms twelve times.
I had to make a card for this because it was easier for me than adding 30 to the date of the month five times. 🙂
I like systems! But often get stuck on one psalm for the entire time.
I don’t feel like a tree either unless it is blowing in the wind and being whipped around. 🙂