A Psalm a Week - Psalm 1

As you probably heard in announcements, this is our first week of "A Psalm a Week." If you have the chance to this week, or if your just looking for something to read in the Bible, check out Psalm 1!

So, here's a link to Psalm Chapter 1 on-line (PSALM 1 - NIV).

It's a really short passage with a really powerful message. As we've been studying in Luke, we are asked repeatedly to analyze our fruit as Christians. Are we reading our Bibles? Are we praying? And most importantly, Are we living a life that brings honor and glory to our Heavenly Father? These are very much so questions that can be associated with the text we're looking at this week.

The psalm talks about our walks as Christians. Where are you found? Is it in the counsel of the ungodly; is it with a group of people who live their lives contrary to the way you are supposed to? The answer should be no. Although I believe that we can have non-Christian friends (as most of us do), the text makes it clear that we are to DELIGHT OURSELVES IN THE LORD and not in those friendships. We should not find comfort and happiness in the world, but in our mighty God. Looking at the picture above you probably notice it's not the best illustration ... even so, the Psalm then says we're to be like a tree planted near the rivers of water. We are supposed to be in out Bibles and in communication with God (prayer). We are to find our roots in God, our comfort in God, our happiness in God. Our leaves and our branches (the desire we have to follow God and pursue a lifestyle in Him) will not fade away. If we live our lives as the tree in this psalm, planting ourselves in God's word, we can be successful as young Christians!

The end of the chapter is clear. The way of the ungodly will perish, but God knows his people. He knows what fruit we bear in our lives. He knows where we find happiness, and no matter how small and insignificant we truly are, he still gives us a promise. This is the promise of happiness, peace, love, joy, and ultimately the gift of the salvation and eternal life that we have in Christ.

Have a great Week!

God Bless!

-Chris