Guidance for the Year from Psalm One

As I began another journey through the book of Psalms this morning I found guidance for my new year.

Blessed is the manWho walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,Nor stands in the path of sinners,Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;² But his delight is in the law of the Lord,And in His law he meditates day and night.³ He shall be like a treePlanted by the rivers of water,That brings forth its fruit in its season,Whose leaf also shall not wither;And whatever he does shall prosper (Psalm 1:1 – 3, NKJV).

In verse 1, I found a word to describe this year: Blessed – Happy, looked upon with favor. That is certainly a word that I want for this new year.

I also found where to walk. – Since I am not to follow the advice of the ungodly, I will follow the way of God’s word.

Verse 1 tells me where to take my stand – It won’t be with those who oppose God. Instead, I will stand for what is right and good.

and what my attitude needs to be. – There is enough mockery and scorn in this world. God calls me to live a respectful life, to appreciate others, and to praise Him.

Verse 2 reminds me the important thing to delight in– My delight is in God’s word and in who He is. The temporal things of this world will pass away, but He will remain. (See also Psalm 37:4)

and where to focus my thinking. – I will never go wrong concentrating on God’s word. In it I find life and peace. (See also Philippians 4:8)

Verse three then gives me the result of these actions – a stable and fruitful life. The fruit from this life is good fruit. I love the picture of a tree planted by a flowing river bearing its fruit at the appropriate season. The tree is not withered or stressed but it fulfills its purpose as God created it.

I want to be like that tree.

The instructions in the first three verses of Psalm one are simple, but profound. Walk right, stand right, speak the right things, think right, delight in the right things, focus on the right things.

Hmmm. This takes me right back to my need for Christ. I need His power to live this way daily through this year. I need to abide in Him.

I wonder what fruit we will see this year if we are brave enough to walk and stand in His way.

Sounds like an exciting adventure. Abiding in Him. Chasing Him.

No guarantees on where the path will lead. Just confidence in the One who is leading and assurance in how I am to conduct myself along the way.

Want to come along?

Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.