January 16, 2013

Psalm 1:1-6
  1 Blessed is the man
    who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
   or stand in the way of sinners
    or sit in the seat of mockers.
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,
    which yields its fruit in season
  and whose leaf does not wither.
    Whatever he does 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 will perish.

Who are the wicked?  Are they all nonChristians or just the really bad ones?  Can a true Christian be wicked?  Who can give better investment advice- an unsaved financial planner or a Christian who prays over the Wall Street Journal?

What does "walking in counsel", or "standing in the way" or "sit in the seat of mockers" mean?  Does this refer to friendships, business partnerships, romantic relationships?

For all the questions verse 1 raises, verses two and three are clear enough. Delight in God's Word.  Think about God-things throughout the day.  Allow God to permeate your thoughts, which will in turn direct your actions and speech.  

Once again I see an "if-then" proposition.  If we "delight" and "meditate", then we will yield fruit and whatever we do will prosper.  Perhaps that prosperity will not be evident by our savings account, perhaps it will.  The prosperity may not be in the form of that promotion at work, perhaps it will.  But God promises if we are obedient to Him, He will prosper the work He has for us collectively and as individuals.

Finally, the first part of verse 6 is my solace for the day.  "For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous. . ."  What an encouraging promise to take into the workplace today.  May that be my meditation today.