Daily Devotion in Psalm 1

Daily Nugget:
In the opening chapter of the Hebrew “Book of Praises,” Psalm 1, we read paths that two types of people travel. The two types of people this chapter speaks of are the “blessed” or happy and the ungodly.

A man is happy if they do not follow the advice of those that are purposely not obeying God’s commandments. He is also blessed if he does his best not to stand in the company of those in sin and happy if he is not sitting and relaxes around them.

Christians are in a world that mostly does not obey God or lives as He commands. However, we are to be a shining testimony to those ungodly folks on how the Creator wants us to live. When we are living, thinking, and taking part as they are, they will see no difference. It is then that a Christian does not have an exemplary testimony and puts another black eye on the cause of Christ.

If, however, the godly person resists the temptation of being like the ungodly majority and obeys to the best of his ability the Word of God, he will be content and happy. He will experience a more joyful life when he reads and strives to obey the Bible. He will often think and be guided by the Book’s words.

When others around him fail and flounder, he will have solid footing. He will grow spiritually and produce many good works. The godly will be a bright light that will show the world that there is a different way that rewards with happiness. Often, the obedient believer’s efforts will be blessed by his Father in Heaven.

However, those that choose not to follow and live the way God commands will suffer. Their efforts and life will produce nothing that will last forever, as will the Christian. 

When the godly stand in judgment for what they have done for the Lord, the ungodly will not be there. The lost will await their separate, horrifying time before the Almighty Judge (Rev. 20:11-15).

The choice is simple: believe and obey or disobey and rebel. However, most of us want to have a happier life can only be realized when one adheres to God’s commandments.

Today’s Thought: 
Following God’s commandments are the only way to arrive safely Home.

Words to Understand:
Blessed: Happy
Counsel: Advice, opinions
Chaff: The waste product of grain
Meditate: Contemplate on something
Perish: To be eternally lost, destroyed, waste away
Scornful: Those that despite, disdain, or complain about things; bad attitudes about situations

Today’s Reading:
Psalm 1
1 ¶ Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 ¶ The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.