A Tree Planted by Streams of Water

July 6, 2020

The first Psalm sets a beautiful tone for our study this week. As you open God’s Word each day, be re-assured by Psalm 1 that your time spent in this practice will make a difference in your life. Look for the promises in this text as you study, and trust that God will keep these promises. 

STUDY THE SCRIPTURE

Click here to access the reading from Psalm 1

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REFLECTION

The Gardner and The Stream of Living Water

By Judy Webb

  

Anyone who knows me, know how much I love to garden - especially flowers. They give me joy, and a feeling of having accomplished something. Also, I enjoy a sense of working alongside God. It is His creation and I get to work in it every spring when He makes all things new again. It is important for these plants to have access to water, and that is why this Psalm speaks to me. 

¹ Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked… ² but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,³ That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. (NIV)

This has been a difficult couple weeks for me, probably you as well. All the drama, commotion, unrest, and most of all hate that surrounds us is troubling at best. I found myself questioning why this is happening? How can God allow it to continue - much the same questions as the pandemic posed for us? I was feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of an uncertain future. But it is getting clearer to me each day, that God has this under His control.

He will use the unrest and destruction all around us, to do immeasurably more than all we could hope or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20) Later on, looking back, we will see the shadow of His hand all over these days and all over us. 

It took me a solid 24 hours to put it all into perspective. I stewed, worried, and wondered…then I prayed. And God took over. He dismissed my anxiety by showing me His wonder. He reminded me that “though the mountains be shaken, and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken.” (Isaiah 54:10) God never promised it would be easy. But He did promise to be with us. 

UALC’S CAMPAIGN OF PRAYER 

MONDAY - MEDICAL PERSONNEL

Pray for our doctors, nurses, and all medical professionals to have strength, wisdom, endurance, and alertness.  

Two Choices

Psalm 1The Message (MSG)

1 How well God must like you—
    you don’t hang out at Sin Saloon,
    you don’t slink along Dead-End Road,
    you don’t go to Smart-Mouth College.

2-3 Instead you thrill to God’s Word,
    you chew on Scripture day and night.
You’re a tree replanted in Eden,
    bearing fresh fruit every month,
Never dropping a leaf,
    always in blossom.

4-5 You’re not at all like the wicked,
    who are mere windblown dust—
Without defense in court,
    unfit company for innocent people.

6 God charts the road you take.
The road they take is Skid Row.

The Message version of this Psalm seems a little bit on the flippant, but it gives a good picture of how God loves it when we walk in His way. He always loves us but is pleased with us when our behavior reflects an obedient spirit.

Think back to your childhood and the difference a day filled with fun and laughter had on the family dynamics.  Obedience and respect for parents made for a peaceful and even fun day in the home.

The same is true of our relationship with God. When I am walking in His direction, heading down the right path, I am filled with contentment.  When I am in the midst of rebellion or conflict my stomach is churning and I feel anything but peace and joy.

There are two ways to face every day: with an obedient and light heart, or not.

Psalm 1

A Blessed Welcome Awaits

Psalm 1 (NIV)
Blessed [welcome] is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.

The word 'blessed' has many meanings, like, holy or set apart or sacred.  But for this Psalm I am drawn to the word welcome. This word is powerful in the context of this Psalm. When a new believer takes that first step to faith, renouncing their past and turning from a sinful life to one that would make Jesus proud, they are welcomed into God's family.

You might enjoy how Eugene Peterson puts it in The Message translation: 

How well God must like you— you don’t hang out at Sin Saloon,
you don’t slink along Dead-End Road,
you don’t go to Smart-Mouth College.

Those moments we experience a life-change like this, we feel the difference.  I know I did.  I struggled for a long time to stay on the right path and every time I would veer off course, I felt it in my spirit. I would be longing for the peace to come again.  I wanted to feel the WELCOME in my heart again.

We get older and wiser and our walk with God is a constant, even then, we need to feel that peace, that WELCOME that comes only from walking close to the One who knows us so well and wants a relationship with each and every one of us.

Psalm 1

Prayer is Shouting-Oh Lord, how many are my foes!

Psalm 3:1,8
O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! … From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.

When I read back over my journals the past year, a repeated prayer has been for my house in Eagle River, WI to sell. The financial burden of keeping two homes up and running is staggering. It seems rather selfish when I read through Psalms and recognize the more serious trials people face.  But I am coming to realize that we all have things that are a real burden or concern.

This home represents more than a strain on my finances, it is a constant reminder of what should have been.  It is a reminder of dreams that never came to pass.  I am sure many of us can relate to this.  I have garnered much comfort from reading the Psalms, wisdom and direction too.  David's written words are very real and down to earth.  They speak to the everyday person.

David had enemies, even enemies from within his own family.  He was fleeing from his son, Absalom in this psalm.  I wondered for a moment why a mighty warrior such as David would run from a fight, but then realized he probably didn't want to face down his son.  Probably the last thing he wanted was to have to fight him, the same child he may have rocked to sleep as an infant. The young boy he loved and cared for, not to mention brought into this world.

Like David, when I contemplate the litany of difficulties I face in this world, I am compelled to Praise God.  He is a constant source of strength and hope and peace and happiness.  When I cry out to God I know he hears, no matter if I am being self-centered or not.  David knew that too.  That is why he continued to turn to God when things got tough.  He continued to rely on God for all of his needs to be met.

That is a lesson I can learn from David and from his Book of Psalms. 


Read or listen to Psalm 1,2,3 here.