Sunday 11 December, 2016

1 Blessed 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, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 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. 4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Scripture: “…That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season…”

I love this metaphor. If I were a tree (which I am not!), where would I want to be planted? In the middle of a vast and terrible desert, with my only reliable source of water being the desert storms or moisture deep below the earth’s surface? Or right next to a flowing stream, with cool, fresh, and constant flowing water for my roots to drink in?

Of course the latter! This is the impact of delighting in and meditating on the word of God day and night. As I think on the word – even taking today to think on this phrase, over and over again…surely there is blessing brought to my heart, and increasing delight!

But more than that – there is fruit in season. I take that to mean – I will have the right wisdom for the decision, the right answer for the tough question, the right action in response to the need – I will be fruitful day in, day out.

This is the simple, and the profound, power of God’s word. How I can lose this powerful truth in the high paced days. But this is, of course, the point. Keeping in my heart this picture of a cool stream and a satisfied tree nearby helps me carry peace, perspective, and promise into each day!

Help me, Lord, to meditate on your wonderful word day and night. Amen.

 

Written by Ps. Rob Waugh