“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” (Psalm 1:1-2 ESV).
The first psalm begins with both a blessing and a warning. For it describes both the way of life and the way that leads to death. The key is deciding whose counsel to follow.
The psalm warns against following the counsel of the wicked. For this way does not lead to blessing, but to death. Sure, it looks like a good way to go. Everyone seems to be on this broad road. But as the Proverb cautions, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Prov. 14:12).
The way of blessing is narrow. And as Jesus said “Those who find it are few” (Matt. 7:14). It is not the way of the crowd, but of the cross. The way of blessing is found in delighting and meditating on God’s Word and following God’s Son. The psalmist says that those who follow this way are blessed.
Whose counsel do you follow? Which way are you headed?
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for giving us Your Word. We delight in it and study it. For in it You have given us the way of eternal life through Your Son Jesus. Thank You for Your many blessings. Direct our feet this day to walk where Your Spirit leads. In Jesus’ name, amen.