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; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 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. (Psalm 1:1-3 ESV)
Let's list the characteristics of this man described here: he does not take counsel from the wicked, he does not wander onto the paths of sinners, and he does not scoff at the misfortune or mistakes of others. He delights in the law of the Lord, and he meditates on it day and night. He yields his fruit in season, never withers, and in all that he does, he prospers. Literally everything he undertakes is prosperous, but not because God is just some miracle machine giving him everything he ever desired (if this was the case, we'd all be winning the lottery every other day!), but because he conforms his will to that of the Lord, whose plans cannot be circumvented. I want to be this man! Don't you? Now let's look at the contrast between this man, and the wicked mentioned in verses 3-6.
The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (Psalms 1:4-6 ESV)
Now let's list the characteristics of the wicked: they are like chaff (straw, or worthless matter), driven away by the wind. They will not stand in the judgment, nor will they stand among the righteous; they will ultimately perish. Boy, aren't you glad we don't have to be this way? I am so thankful that I have been given a new heart and that the blood of Christ has cleansed me from my evil ways, for this is exactly how we are before Jesus: sinful, unable to be in the presence of righteousness, and doomed to perish.
But now, through His sacrifice and gift of love, we no longer have to be like the wicked, but we have the opportunity to be like the righteous man described in verses 1-3. We deserve nothing more than to perish for our wickedness; but this is the amazing-ness of the grace of God! Have you experienced this grace in your own life? If you have not, you know where to look: Jesus Christ, who gave Himself that we all might be able to receive these awesome gifts of grace, mercy, and hearts made new.
Blessings,
Andrew
