October 13, 2022 – Thursday
Psalm 1:2-3 NET
2 Instead he finds pleasure in obeying the Lord’s commands; he meditates on his commands day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by flowing streams; it yields its fruit at the proper time, and its leaves never fall off. He succeeds in everything he attempts.
Psalm 1:2-3 NIV
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 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.
Comment
Yesterday we looked at verse one of Psalm 1 which read How blessed is the one who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand in the pathway with sinners, or sit in the assembly of scoffers NET and 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, NIV. You can find it at Calvary Chapel of Dayton Devotionals.
Verse one explored what behavior one avoids to become blessed. Today we will look a bit further to see what actions one takes to become blessed and how that blessing is felt in one’s life.
Beginning in verse two we findInstead he finds pleasure in obeying the Lord’s commands; he meditates on his commands day and night NET or whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night NIV. Number one he finds pleasure in obeying the LORD’s commands or whose delight is in the law of the LORD. This reflects the answer Samuel gave to Saul concerning obedience versus sacrifice in 1 Samuel 15:22, Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. Note Saul was trying to sacrifice his way out of disobeying God. The key is taking pleasure in obeying God, not going through the motions because you feel obligated to do so or because you are ‘supposed’ to do so. Then think on His commands and laws all the time, day and night not as some form of drudgery, but wondering about the how and why of them and appreciating what you do understand.
Then in verse three an incredible statement for such a person, He is like a tree planted by flowing streams or That person is like a tree planted by streams of water. Not like a tree by flowing streams or by streams of water, but like a tree planted there. The tree is not there by happenstance, but purposely placed there, planted there, cared for there. Additionally, this tree that he is like, yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. That does not imply it or the man has a life without trials and tribulations, but in spite of that he will prosper.
Bottom Line: Remember always, To obey is better than sacrifice and it can lead to a great many blessings.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Let us look to Your commands as something wonderful as You reveal Yourself to us in them. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.