Have you experienced failures and disappointments to the point that you just don’t expect anything to go right for you? Sometimes the whole world seems to be against us. But then, on the other hand, there are some people who seem to just breeze through life. They always land on their feet. And success always seems to come their way - almost to the point of being unfair. Wouldn't it be great to experience that?
Psalm 1 offers us an understanding of “the good life” that differs enormously from the way these things are usually understood today. In fact, it does this so much so, that it turns the common perception of reality right on its head. And, it suggests a life of blessing that is so radical that it’s remarkably appealing!
Let's begin begin by looking at Psalm 1:1. The leading thought here is that the believer is blessed by God. God is the one who blesses people who “do not walk in the counsel of the wicked,” who refuse evil advice. It's in God’s law that this person finds their delight. It's the sound of God’s voice and through God’s direction that this person finds “happiness.” In short, the understanding of how life works in this first Psalm is thoroughly God-centered.
Isn't this so opposite to the way we often think. Almost without exception we find humanity today centering fulfillment upon itself. Think about it - to “have a good time” in our society almost always means to go out and “enjoy yourself.” Not God, but yourself. Not others, but yourself. We can be an extremely self-centered group can’t we?
In the Psalms, true satisfaction involves not enjoying oneself, but taking delight in a real and living relationship with God. This is the secret of lasting Christian joy. This is important so please listen - the goal of the Christian life is not to enjoy oneself, but to enjoy God - and this is what brings that deeper joy. It is far more permanent than mere happiness!
By failing to trust God and make connections with God as the source of life, we can’t be truly happy. To be independent, self-sufficient and so alienated from God and others, in biblical terms, is to “perish.” Yet, the believer is different. The believer is connected to God and therefore blessed by him.
Like this first Psalm, Jesus also promised that his followers would be blessed. His famous Sermon on the Mount begins with that promise - “blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are those who mourn, blessed are the meek, etc. In Psalm 1:3, the blessed life is described as a tree planted by a stream. A fruitful tree which provides shade to all who come under it. Thus, the description of a righteous person.
Jesus also drew upon the imagery of a growing plant to describe how his followers are blessed. He said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)
The next thought then is that everyone who “remains in” i.e. “follows” Christ is blessed. Take note of the place where the tree has been planted - by streams of water. Jesus and all that he taught us is our life giving stream. People who are open to Jesus and his instruction are like trees transplanted beside a source of water; they are never without a resource to sustain their lives under any circumstance. No matter how tough life gets; no matter how insurmountable the problem may seem; Jesus provides the source of new life!
Now I don’t know about you, but even though I am convinced that I am firmly planted in Jesus Christ, whatever I do does not “always prosper” - as the psalm suggests it should. My life is not always fruitful and as a result my joy fluctuates.
Maybe today your circumstances have robbed you of your joy. Let me point you back to the voice of God as we hear it in these verses. Let his compassionate word to you today penetrate your mind and heart. Hear his answer - it may not change your circumstances but it will change you.
Jesus and all that he taught us is our life giving stream. People who are open to Jesus and who are willing to follow his instruction no matter what the cost are like trees transplanted beside a life giving stream; they are never without a resource to sustain their lives under any circumstance.
And what a life it is! Not only is the believer blessed by God, in Christ but also with all blessings. Because, “Whatever he does prospers” What an awesome promise! It’s almost too outrageous to believe it. At least it would be if we were to look for the fulfillment of such a promise with our own eye-sight.
This final line of Psalm 1:3 has often been interpreted to mean that following Jesus is materially rewarded in the here and now. Instead to “prosper in all they do” should be viewed through the eye of faith. It’s not outward prosperity that is most valuable. It’s the prosperity of the soul.
Often it is for the health of the soul that we find our income inadequate; often it is for the health of our soul that we suffer grief; often it’s for the health of the soul that our family life is in upheaval; often it’s for the health of our soul that we are harassed by life and circumstances. The worst things that can happen to us are often the best. There are often blessings wrapped up in the misfortunes of a righteous person!
We read in Psalm 1:4-5 that we are blessed through time and into eternity. A godless, self-sufficient life is like chaff, it can be blown away at the slightest breeze. On the other hand a righteous life that relies on God for everything, is like a well placed tree whose stability allows it to live and bear fruit.
Those who honor God and order their lives in all things according to his will are the “assembly of the righteous” which the Psalmist identifies in Psalm 1:5. They have a relationship with God. And they alone experience his presence both now and in the life to come. They alone will be able to stand under the weight of his judgment. But the self-sufficient life only has itself to rely on - it will have to sustain itself on the Lord’s day - and it won’t be able to.
Finally, in Psalm 1:6, we are told that the Believer receives the highest blessing. It’s a high calling, to order you life according to the will of God - in fact it’s the highest calling! But to this highest calling is attached the highest blessing. This tells us that the righteous are at the center of God’s attention. The Lord knows his people intimately, not just intellectually, but through a personal relationship. And the blessing is the assurance that God cares for his own, protects them, and will reward them.
In closing, what is praised here in the first Psalm is a complete commitment of the whole self to God. It calls us to make that decision. And like our Psalm, Jesus also promised that his followers would be blessed (Matt 5:3-11), despite what trouble the world can throw at them.
There’s something appealing about that kind of blessing. It’s supernatural and it’s refreshing in the face of the world’s view of success. I want to encourage you to seek it, to turn away from self-sufficiency and to open yourselves up to God’s teaching, to sink your roots deep into Him, His instruction and His direction.
Scripture: Philippians 4:13; Psalm 37:4; James 4:10; Proverbs 16:3; Romans 12:2; Proverbs 3:5; Jeremiah 29:11
Prayer: Dear Lord, please help me be the inspiration in someone's day. Help me not to discourage; but always encourage. Amen
May God bless you always!
Alice
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