Thursday, February 29, 2024

          As we move closer to Holy Week, we take a moment to consider our walk before the Lord God. A great chapter to read, when considering our walk with the Lord, is Psalm 1. This Psalm, likely written by David and certainly inspired by the Holy Spirit, shows us what a blessed life looks like and how we can pursue such a life.  The Bible says, “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, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.  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” (Psalm 1:1-3). I call your attention to five important words in Psalm 1.  Those words are walk, stand, sit, delight and meditates.  These five words help to frame how we are to know and walk with the Lord.  Making these words a priority in the next few weeks can help to enrich our Holy Week experience.
            First, we are commanded not to walk “in step with the wicked.”  Therefore, we are to walk in righteous ways.  To walk, in the Bible, means the manner in which we will conduct ourselves.  We are not to live in wicked or sinful ways.  We are not to desire sinful actions or behaviors.  We are to want the things that God wants for us.  We are to walk with Him and to lean on Him.  We walk in the ways that His Word commands us to walk and His Spirit leads us.
            Second, we are not to stand “in the way that sinners take.”  Do not idly dwell in sin or sinful ways.  Do not linger in the things that are rebellious or offensive to the Lord God.  The idea could be not to waste time but rather to use the time that God gives you for good and for His glory.  The idea can also be not to become at home in or comfort-able with sin.  Let sin be poison to you.  Let sin be foreign to you. 
            Third, do not sit “in the company of mockers.”  Do not dwell with those who may mock the Lord or scoff at Him.  Lift your voice to praise God and to thank God.  Declare your trust in the Lord with your voice.  Give thanks to the Lord for His goodness and grace.  No doubt, there are many people today who dismiss the Lord’s Word and diminish His ways.  Do not be company with such things.  Do not walk in such ways.  Live a distinct life that raises a voice for the Lord above the noise and din of those around you.
            Fourth, we find a positive command—something we are commanded and told to do.  “Delight in the law of the Lord.”  God’s Word is good and leads to life.  We find two important verses about the life-giving power of God’s law and ways in Deuteronomy.  The Bible says, “And if we are careful to obey all this law before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness” (Deuteronomy 6:25).  And the Bible says, “Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him” (Deuteronomy 8:6).  Delight yourself in the Lord and His Word—read it, know it, reflect on it and make it part of your life each day. 
            The fifth word is “meditates.”  We do more than read God’s Word, ways and law.  We think about it.  We dwell on it.  We look for ways to connect it to our lives here and now.  Make notes in your Bible.  Keep a journal.  Look for what God is trying to teach you.  If someone gave you a treasure with no strings attached, you would eagerly accept it and begin to explore what it is (land, cash, investments, precious metals, works of art, homes, etc.).  Well, God has given us the treasure of His Word and ways.  Let’s learn all we can and explore the depths of his law. 
            Psalm 1:3 shows us the blessing that awaits the one who practices these five steps.  There are rewards for those who do what Psalm 1:1-2 command.  The Bible says, “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” (Psalm 1:3).  Take God at His Word—walk, stand, sit, delight and mediate in His ways and see the rewards that come.  Begin now to prepare yourself for the coming Holy Week of 2024.  Have a great Thursday!  Join us on Sunday for Bible study at 9:45am and worship at 10:55am.  Bring a friend with you!  Remember you can always worship and share our worship at Youtube.com/FirstBaptistKannapolis.