Are You Walking In The Way Of Jesus?
Good Morning Friends,
The Psalms do have a way of working the Word of God into our hearts. It does so help us on the journey with guideposts. The wisdom helps us not to be fooled by what appears as greener grass. So today we look for this blueprint for a blessing that lasts and its pathway to keeping in step with God. Are You Walking In The Way Of Jesus?
Scripture: Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. 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 watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Psalm 1 (NRSV)
Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Galatians 5:16 (NRSV)
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.
1 Peter 2:21 (NRSV)
Message: Did you notice something unusual about Psalm 1? It does not say that the Lord watches over the righteous and punishes the wicked. It says, rather, “…the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” The emphasis is on the ways of the two rather than on the people themselves. This approach is simple yet profound. You see everybody wants happiness but there are really only two ways that people seek the blessings of life. There are those that follow God and those that do not. One works and the other does not. The core of the message here is that the way of righteousness is to have our delight in the Lord overcome the distractions that keep us from fully experiencing God each and every moment of each and every day. We are to life in the Spirit on a walk with Jesus. That is the way we prosper and that is the way to yield fruit. So to walk with Jesus we stay in the Word of God and let its nourishment strengthen our souls. And as we walk on the journey of life, we are to let each step be stable on solid ground. There is much to trip us up in life. For the day will come when we are judged for the way we choose to walk. God does not show favorites here. He blesses some and condemns others on the basis of the way in which they have chosen to walk. Psalm 1 tells us that the way of blessing is the way of righteousness, which involves the avoidance of worldly wisdom and worldly actions, and entails the pursuit of intimacy with God through His Word. Follow Jesus my friends. He is the way.
Pray we receive the Word. Pray we hear the Word and read the Word and speak the Word and know the Word and share the Word on our hearts but also do the Word. Pray God’s Word be in us and overflow through us to God’s glory. Pray we have the character of pray. Pray we have the walk of a person who experiences God daily. Pray we stand for what is right. Pray we stand in awe of God. Pray we stand firm in the faith. Pray we be in unity with other believers. Pray we be consistent in our delight, desire and dedication related to God so we might walk with God forever.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 