The Phil Files

Two paths. Two ways. Two choices. Two Psalms. Our reading today is from Psalms 1 and 2. Psalm 1 is a personal song about the blessings that come from avoiding the path of the wicked and seeking after the will of God. Psalm 2 is national psalm reminding us that nations who oppose God’s will will come to destruction, but those who seek refuge in the LORD will receive His blessing. However, both psalms confront me with a choice between two paths. I can’t choose both. I have to choose one or the other. One is the path of God’s blessing. It is the less traveled path. The other path is wickedness and rebellion to God. It is the more widely chosen to path. However, I must decide between the two for my life. Simply not deciding is to choose the more widely chosen path of destruction. (See what Jesus said about this in Matthew 7:13-14.)

//Inspiration: Psalm 1:3
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

//Incarnation: My take on today’s message for me
In West Texas, where I now live, there are not many big trees — mostly mesquite trees. Our climate is too dry for large trees to grow and receive enough water. However, along rivers and creek beds where water is often found, pecan and oak trees grow. Psalm 1 challenges me to not seek to be accepted by the majority of folks who choose the way of the wicked, but to plant myself along the creek banks of God’s Word. As I begin this New Year, I must know that if I am going to continue to grow in the Lord, if I am going to be what He has made me to be, then I must seek God’s will in the Scriptures. Then when the scorching times come with withering heat, my roots are sunk deep in the nourishing and replenishing supply of God’s grace.

//Invitation: My prayer for today
O Abba Father, thank you for hearing my prayer today. I want to hear Your voice and be obedient to Your will. I know that this means focusing more on your Scriptures this year than in past years. Yet, dear Father, I don’t want to just read them, I want them to speak Your will to me and to change my life. Please be with me. Use your Holy Spirit to teach me as submit to your message. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

(The daily Bible reading schedule can be found online with Heartlight or hard copy out in pdf.)

You are encouraged to share your input on today’s readings. Here a couple of questions to get you started, but feel free to ad whatever you like to the discussion.

What did you think about Phil’s take on this passage?

What is the verse that speaks most powerfully to you and why?

Blessed are those     who do not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take     or sit in the company of mockers, but who delight in the law of the LORD     and meditate on his law day and night. They are like a tree planted by streams of water,     which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither –     whatever they do prospers. Not so the wicked!     They are like chaff     that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,     nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,     but the way of the wicked will be destroyed.

\o/ — Comments Psalm 1: Like a tree planted by streams of water! — \o/

So we begin! Psalm 1 is one of two introductory Psalms for the whole collection. This introductory Psalm is focused on our commitment to seek God’s will in His truth. There we will find his blessing and our happiness.

As we read and meditate upon Psalm 1, we are called to recognize our constant thirst for the presence of God and how this presence not only nourishes us, but brings refreshment to others. Our seeking of God’s way opens our hearts to see His watch-care over us.

This Psalm challenges me to follow the path Jesus’ beattitude: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for for righteousness, for they will be filled (Matthew 5:6).

Do I hunger for God, His righteousness, and His presence? Do I recognize my thirst for God’s truth, character, will, and holiness?

These questions not only convict me, but they also pull me back to the Messiah, who promised: Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them (John 7:37-38).

O God, draw me to Your truth. Fill my heart and my head with your Word. Refresh my soul with your presence. Challenge my values and take control of my ethics with Your will. Please use me to bless and refresh others. In the name of the one Who is the Living Word. Amen.

Now what is your response to Psalm 1?