January 4, 2022

Maybe like me, you've embarked on a mission this year to be more devoted to reading your Bible. It's a great journey and you are sure to be blessed by it. I wanted to take a minute to share with you how sometimes I read through a passage, and maybe it can encourage you.

Also, before I begin, let me encourage you to download the "Blue Letter Bible" app on your phone or make it a bookmark for a website on your computer. There are many great tools there to help you understand scripture better. Today, I will be talking a little about the "interlinear" function. It allows you to look up the original words (in our case today, Hebrew) to get a fuller understanding of their meaning and its implications for us as we read and apply scripture to our own lives.

The other day in my reading plan I read through Psalm 1. Here is it:

Psalm 1: The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked

[1] Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
[2] but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

[3] He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
[4] The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

[5] Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
[6] for the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish. (ESV)

You've probably all read it before, but let me share with you what stood out to me in reading it this time. So, I started out asking a simple question: "What does "blessed" mean?

1. "Blessed" - what a great term. Blessed. Who doesn't want to be blessed? The word is used 45 times and is defined as "blessed or happy." Blessed, happy...makes me think of the words content and satisfied. And who is blessed? Not those who chase after worldly things. No, the happy, blessed, content one is the one who delights in and meditates on scripture. Which led me to my next question: What does it mean to "meditate"?
2. "Meditate" - man this was a real treat to look up this word. Of course it means to think about, to ponder, right? Yes, it is translated, among other things, as "meditate or imagine." But then, I saw something else. The word is also defined 2 times as "study" and 7 times as "speak, talk or utter". So, to meditate on scripture isn't just about reading and thinking about it, it is also talking about it with others. Wow! That is super cool! Made me rethink how I have always viewed this passage as just a think or memorize scripture type thing. So, here I am, talking (or typing) and sharing with others about scripture. 

As I wrapped this up, my thought went to, "What are the results? What is the outcome of delighting in and meditating on scripture?" We are a tree. Hmmm...doesn't sound too exciting, right. I mean, who wants to be a tree? But not just any tree, an amazing tree that God is cultivating and caring for. Let's break down verse three to understand that better:

1. "Planted by streams of water" - there is a continual life giving source for nutrients and food. When we delight in and meditate on God's Word, we will always be sustained. We may go through some physical ailments and hardships, but our souls will be nourished. We will be anchored (more on the benefits of this as we hit #3).
2. "Yields its fruit in season" - We will be producing fruit. When trees aren't watered and nourished, it is difficult to bear fruit. And if there is fruit, it is usually stunted in growth and not that good (because it isn't being fed). If I were to fully commit to delighting in and meditating, part of that blessing is bearing good, full, flavorful fruit. I believe that fruit is more character/spiritual development in our lives (see Galatians 5:16-26, especially verses 22-23). And don't forget, there are some seasons where you won't bear fruit. That's ok. This verse addresses that: "yields its fruit in season." I think that when there are seasons we aren't bearing fruit we may have cut ourselves off from the stream of living water through a sinful lifestyle, or that God is shaping and transforming us, cultivating us, for the next season of life (this is where prayer comes in to get a better understanding....but that's another devotion).
3. "Leaf does not wither" - we are alive, always. Always green. Never fading. Full of vigor and strength. In some ways I think, too, able to weather the storms (part of being anchored by life giving streams). We are rooted in God and His promises/faithfulness, and we continue to live and bear fruit. Think of a palm tree or a pine tree. When healthy, they are always green. This is the blessing and benefit God promises.
4. "All he does he prospers" - prospers literally means "to advance, prosper, make progress." The result of delighting in God and not the world: no matter what happens or what I face, God has given me everything I need to keep moving forward. And I think a lot of that moving forward is found in God things, not worldly things. Not that we'll get a raise, a promotion, a better house or car or this or that or any other thing. Not that we will have perfect health all the time. Although these things would be nice, remember we are living in a broken, fallen world. We can still get sick, and suffer misfortune. Others may still treat us unfairly and unjustly. However, God still uses us and can do wonderful things through the process. I think part of "prosper" is tied back to that word "meditate." More chances to share, to utter, to speak about God's Word and to see it have results in our lives and in the lives of people we share it with.

I know, a long post, but these are some of the things I see when I read through God's Word. I hope you made it all the way through this. and I hope it is a blessing to you. Keep reading, sharing, getting grounded in God's Word and watch the things that our amazing God can do!
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In His grace,
Pastor Brian
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