Two Paths
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?