Intro: Today's devotion looks at joy and how we root ourselves in the source of all joy, God.
Scripture:
1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,Observation:
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
- Verse 1 starts with how one can be blessed, but with a list of things not to do:
- What does it mean to "not listen to the counsel of the wicked"? I think that first, I must look to what God is saying and consciously choose to follow His direction rather than listening to the advice of those around me who say otherwise. This is counter-cultural, as our culture says many things "are ok", yet contradict God's word and promises.
- What does it mean to "not stand in the path of sinners"? For me, this means that I will reflect the actions and decisions of those who I am with. If I run with a bad crowd then I am influenced to act and think like the crowd. In the Old Testament, God calls the Israelite people to be His chosen people. In other words, they were to set themselves apart from the world in how they spoke and acted. In the New Testament, Jesus asks us to demonstrate love and compassion for others - a calling to separate ourselves from the ways of the world.
- What does it mean to "sit in the seat of scoffers"? The dictionary defines scoff as a noun meaning derision, ridicule, mocking, scornful, contempt. So a scoffer is one who acts out in ridicule and derision. If I join in and ridicule others, mock them, or carry a scornful attitude, then I am sitting in the seat of scoffers.
- Verse 2 shows how my blessing will be amplified: by delighting and meditating in the law of the LORD.
- I don't think that "law" necessarily means "the ten commandments" nor do I think that "law" means "the list of laws in Leviticus". I think "law" here means all of the Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The Torah is commonly referred to as the "Books of Moses", or the "Books of Law". The rest of the Old Testament is often referred to as "The Prophets". When Jesus was tested by the lawyer and asked which commandment was greatest, Jesus responds with, "Love God and love others" (my paraphrase). He concludes by saying, "On these two commandments rest the whole Law and the Prophets." In other words, "to love God and to love our neighbors", summarizes all of the Old Testament.
- Psalm 1 instructs the reader to delight and meditate in the Law
- Delight is a synonym for joy. If I'm receiving joy from scripture, and scripture is of God, then I'm receiving joy from God.
- I recently read that meditation, as described in scripture, is different than how the modern world defines meditation. Modern meditation is often associated with the Eastern practice of "emptying" one's mind. But the scriptural concept is one of filling the mind. Many folks don't understand how to "fill their minds". An example that was shared with me is: if you can lie awake at night and worry about unpaid bills, health issues, your children, trouble in the world, etc. then you already know how to meditate. Just replace your worries with God's word - scripture. Repeat His word over and over, replacing the worry that had repeatedly gone through your mind. This is how to meditate on God's word.
- Verse 3 shows the benefit that comes from delighting and meditating in His law - I will be like a tree planted near streams of water. I will be fruitful and prosper.
- A tree planted near water has little need of anything. The roots go deep and draw up the nourishment from the soil along with the water. The nourishment allows the tree to fruit and prosper. In other words, the tree is able to do what it was designed to do, and through its design, it will prosper.
- Jesus mentions several times in the New Testament that He brings "living water" and it is through this water that we will never thirst. I don't think He means a "physical thirst", but a "thirst" where we strive to have and experience meaning in our lives. Many people ask "Why am I here? Why was I born?" It is my thought that by accepting God's "living water", just like the tree planted by the stream, we will no longer need to ask these questions, we will know and feel His love and joy in us.
For me, this passage seems straightforward. I should steer clear of the advice and actions of the world. I should refrain from joining in on ridiculing and scorning others. I should spend time finding joy in the scripture and I should allow the scripture to permeate my thoughts, thus I will meditate on God's word. Through meditation, I will not allow the worry of the world to invade. Following these instructions, I will be firmly rooted and filled with His living water. It is this water that brings me peace, love, and joy.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
You know my heart's desire. You know the worries that are on my mind.
Let me be mindful of Your presence and promise in the scripture.
Let me be filled with Your living water, so that I may overflow
with Your love and joy and share with others.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Related Reading:
SOAP Study Techniques: Mom's Toolbox, One Thing Alone Blog, and YouTube
Additional Verses: Matthew 22:35-40, John 7:37-39, John 4:13-14
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