http://biblia.com/bible/nrsv/Ps1

Psalm 1:

1 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;
2 but their delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law they meditate day and night.
3 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.

4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.

I have grown to love this Psalm. The Psalmist reflects on two different approaches to life. One way is to delight in the law of God and it leads to life in season and out of season. The other way is characterized by rejecting God’s law and way and it leads to destruction.

I often think of this Psalm and wonder which approach I’m taking. I would like to believe that I delight in God’s law, but do I really? Is the way of God a delight to me? Does following God’s law bring me to places of delight? I hate to admit many times it does not. Instead, I want to go my own way because deep down I believe that my way is the best way. I believe this even though the evidence shows I am wrong.

The Psalmist reminds me that delighting in (and living out) God’s law leads to life. Neglecting and, perhaps, even rejecting God’s law will eventually lead me to places where I don’t want to be. I continue to forget that and wander onto paths of my own creation. Oh that the law of God would be my delight!

Jesus, remind me often that your way leads to life. When I turn from the right or the left, remind me that only delighting in your way and your law, will lead me to Life.