Psalm 1:1-2 "Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way 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.
Many of us as kids did things that did not line up with our Christian
upbringing. It may have seemed rather small and insignificant, but
our parents did not treat it as such. WHY?
What our parents and others knew is that...SIN IS PROGRESSIVE! It
never backs up, but always moves forward unless stopped! My mother use to say that if you will lie, then you will steal. Why? She knew that if you got away with one, it can very easily progress to things much more serious. For example, most drug addicts did not become addicts overnight but it's a progressive thing. They usually start out with light drugs and worked their way up as their tolerance goes up. Such is sin, it may start out as a little white lie but in time you will end up with a big black heart that has been polluted by sin. It is like a cancer that will continue to eat away at us without
treatment.
As we look at this passage this morning, one thing should jump out at us for it is glaringly obvious that we shall find pleasure, delight,
blessings in the eyes of God if we will walk according to His ways.
This passage opens with a listing of things that we should not do...
walk in the counsel of the ungodly...stand in the way of sinners...
sit in the seat of the scornful. The word 'walk' in this passage
refers to infrequent ungodliness but 'stand' describes the habitual
practice of sin. The image of 'sit in the seat' is of those who
instruct others in a community's way of life, so that sitting with
scoffers is hardened commitment to sin's ways.
This passage this morning is a warning to us all, God said in His
Word, in the day that you hear my voice, hardened not your heart. For where the heart is so are you.
This world that we live is sin laden from top to bottom and in every
aspect, so we must protect ourselves from the things of this world.
For even though we are in the world, God has separated us to Himself that we should be holy and without blame. Just has God cannot look upon sin and find pleasure in it, neither should we.
But....Our delight should be in the law of the LORD and we should
meditate upon it day and night. Meditate speaks of more than reading, but upon studying and praying upon God's Word that He may direct our paths. When should we do this? Day and night...all the time!
We must be careful in our daily walk that we do not walk in the
counsel (receive advice from) of the ungodly. For if we listen long
enough it will get good to us and we will take a seat. Before long
not only will you be sitting, but you will be giving advice also.
You should wakeup every morning with your mind stayed upon Jesus, walking and talking with your mind stayed on Jesus, finding delight in the LORD that we might withstand the attacks of Satan.
PERSONAL NOTE: With each medical report on the prevention of various diseases and cancers, we change our eating and living habits so that we may live longer and healthier.
BUT THE QUESTION IS: Do we take the same precautions when it comes to our spiritual lives that we might live abundant, full and Godly lives?
Have a Blessed Day...Be PRAYERFUL and THANKFUL for all things!!!
Edward Price