Psalm 1:6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.

This Psalm is justly famous as a description of righteousness. It starts with negatives, what a righteous person does not do, and it is interesting that those things are largely attitudinal. Attitudes lead to actions! From there it goes to positives, and it is striking how short the list is: essentially one thing. That one thing is again a matter of attitude, but it is attitude toward the Bible, God’s Word. You will never find an evil person who genuinely delights in the Word of God! This attitude toward the Bible isn’t an occasional thing, but constant, day and night. You won’t be genuinely righteous if you only open the Bible on Sundays! This is a matter of lifestyle, and the Psalm goes on to list the results of such a lifestyle. The image is of a tree, which is not a transient thing. A righteous person will put down roots into the Word of God, absorbing the spiritual nutrition that is there and bearing fruit that is in keeping with that nutrition. Such a person is not shaken by external conditions, because their supply is internal, in the Word of God. In contrast, the wicked are described as completely transient, with no roots, or even source, at all. In a world that is constantly changing, this contrast is striking indeed. Someone with roots planted in the unchanging Word of God is far better able to handle the constantly changing physical world than someone who is not so rooted. The Japanese, following the Hebrew, says that God “knows” the way of the righteous. No surprise, because it’s His way! It is the path He has laid out for the blessing of mankind, and it leads to eternal fellowship with Him.

I have had the immense privilege of being the son of such a man as is described here. I can’t say that it hasn’t been intimidating at times! That’s not to say my father was perfect, because none of us are. He had various regrets I’m sure, but it would be hard to question that his delight was in the Word of the Lord. That is my model. I am certainly no more perfect than my father was, probably much less, but I have learned to love the Word and walk in the grace that it teaches me. As a pastor, my desire is to impart in my spiritual children the same love for God and His Word that has been granted to me. I have now passed the age at which my father was taken to his reward, which makes it all the more pressing that I make the best possible use of the time I am given, letting God use me to open people’s eyes to see Him and His Word, so that together we may walk in the fellowship with Him for which we were created, for His pleasure and glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder, and for making it clear that this is what You want spoken to this flock this coming Sunday. I pray that I would be fully submitted and obedient to You, not only in preparation and delivery of the message, but in living it out on a moment by moment basis, doing Your will on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!