“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path 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. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.”
Psalm 1:1-3 (NKJV)
I may have mentioned this in the past but just to update you, I’m not one with a green thumb. I’ve tried the veggie garden thing but I live near a large deer population and I’ve found that chili is a better way to go than a salad (besides, bacon goes better in chili than in a salad). And I’m terrible when it comes to flowers according to my wife. I get on my riding mower and I apparently mow over everything, this would include those “wild flowers” she likes. Well, I don’t know what she sees but I’ll tell you what I see…weeds. Under the mowing deck they go!!
But a tree is something different. In my world, they can represent an opportunity to use a chain saw but I usually use it when a tree has fallen on its own. In the Bible, however, they represent mental, emotional, and spiritual stability with the capacity to withstand the storms of life. They also can be a picture of what ministry looks like. If it’s a fruit tree it’ll bear fruit and if it’s an oak tree, it’ll provide shade. We can also see the tree as a symbol of what the growth and time looks like as we take time to grow and mature in the Word and in the things of God.
The cool thing about Psalm 1:1 is that it gets right to the point. The first three things we see is blessed is the person who doesn’t walk, stand or sit with folks who would have nothing to do with the things of God. These folks may have deliberately chosen a path that’s contrary to God’s path, that wide road if you will. They would also be indifferent to hearing the Word of God. Here’s when we can understand that parable of the sower who goes about scattering seed onto four different types of soil. I guess you can notice that this stuff parallels what Jesus would say…hmm. Well, here’s an interesting parallel…
“This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.” (Ephesians 4:17-19)
Granted, you may be wondering what this has to do with my lack of gardening skills or the Bible’s view on trees, hang in there, we need to discuss how to avoid being like the rest of those…Gentiles. The bigger question is, what’s the key to blessedness? Well, David pretty answers this by stating it’s those who conscientiously delight, keep, protect and have become preoccupied with Gods Word. After a little research I have found that David uses this idiom “mediates day and night” to express that a man is constantly, consistently and regularly keeping his face in his Bible…as a chosen habit.
And now finally this. Take what was said earlier about the Bible’s view on the tree and now plant that bad boy by the streams of water, deeply rooted, hearing the words of The Master say, “but whoever drinks of the that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14)
Ya see, there are two ways to go about growing into this world. Cool water, tasty fruit and some nice shade is a great way for a man to find the ability to prosper in whatever he does. Why? Doing it all for God’s glory, what else? But the other way? Eh, that’s that wide road stuff that leads to destruction and does not give God glory. It’s really the dung heap that all of us should leave well behind.
Unfortunately, Psalm 1:6 deals with that topic, “For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.” So, all in all, today my advice for you is to be like tree, planted by the living waters of Jesus Christ!! ‘Nough said, Amen?
Written by Chris Hughes: Chris is a husband, a father, has an education in Biblical doctrine, and is a graduate of The Colony of Mercy. He has been a Freedom Fighter contributor since 2008. You can email him at cphughes515@verizon.net
Think About This: “Religious lives are marked by a growing hunger after God Himself. They are eager for spiritual realities and will not be put off with words, nor will they be content with correct “interpretations” of truth. They are athirst for God, and they will not be satisfied till they have drunk deep at the Fountain of Living Water.” – A.W. Tozer
The Daily Bible Reading: Reflection | You can download our 2021 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here.
