Psalm 1:1-3 says, “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.”
This world can drain you. Social media can consume you, people can frustrate you, and politics can harden your heart.
So how do we stay strong in God? In faith? In love?
The Psalmist is explaining how to be strong. Not physical strength, not an assertive strength, but a strength that starts at your soul.
This is the first Psalm and it was written by David. The same David who defeated Goliath, not by overpowering him but by his willingness to follow God. But at the time of this psalm, he was a king. Kings typically relied on armies for power but David did things differently, he chose to rely on God for his strength.
It can be hard to rely on God when the world tells us to rely on ourselves. They believe God isn’t needed or doesn’t exist so they push him out. David gives us clear instructions in a time of utter confusion.
“Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.”
We need to put our ultimate trust in God. One tangible way to show this is by committing to activities that will bring you closer to him and saying no to the ones that would further your walk.
Seek wise counsel. Go to the people who will tell what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. It’s easy to go to someone who will encourage your sinful behavior; much harder to go to the one who will correct you lovingly.
Be a light but do not let the darkness influence you. Make sure to set clear-cut boundaries. How long will you stay in that environment? How will you talk? What will you do? A church I know has a strip club ministry, they do a devotion with the girls and help them out of that lifestyle. But they have set boundaries. No men help, they stay for a set period of time, and they make sure the leaders are properly trained. They recognize that they are going into the enemy’s territory and they prepare as such.
“But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.”
Study the Bible. This brings so much irreplaceable wisdom. Once we know more about God we know more about his design for us. Join a small group, do a devotion, take part in an online study. We are so fortunate in America to have access to so many resources. There are some who still do not have the Bible in their native language but we do, take advantage of that blessing. (If you don’t know where to start, I wrote a free guide on how to study the Bible available on my blog!)
When we follow this path the outcome of our decisions leads to a strength that only comes from heaven.
“They are like trees planted along the riverbank bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.”
We have a foundation that is made from the strength of God and this world cannot so easily take that away from us. When we rely on God for wisdom, we will always prosper despite the outcome. We live in a fallen world so we may fail. I know church plants and ministries that were started by godly people, that failed according to their standards. But did those people obey God? Did they follow the wisdom from him? Then they succeeded according to the Kingdom. I see so many contractions in the secular world because they have no true foundation; no God to pray to, no scripture to reference; only their own knowledge. I am grateful I love a God that freely gives wisdom and strenght to all who come to him.
“My hope is built on nothing less
Then Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus' name
On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand”
-Song by The Graham Family Band (On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand)
Sources: The Layman’s Commentary, NLT Bible, Graham Family Band.