Psalm 1:1-3 - The Blessing of God's Word for the New Year.
Psalm 1:1-3 - The Blessing of God's Word for the New Year.
Psalm 1:1-3 (KJV) 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. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his
law he meditates day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted
by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his
season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall
prosper.
Those whom God blesses are not delighted with what pertains to
sin and the world; they delight in the Word of God. It is love for
and obedience to the Bible that brings blessing on our lives. The
people God blesses not only read the Word daily, but they study it,
memorize it, and meditate on it during the day and night. Their mind is
controlled by the Word of God. Because of this, they are led by the Spirit
and walk in the Spirit. Meditation is to the soul what "digestion"
is to the body. It means understanding the Word, "chewing on it,"
and applying it to our lives, making it a part of the inner person.
[Wiersbe's Expository Outlines]
Crushing consequences and a raunchy reputation is what you
can get when you follow worldly counsel and people. What do you get
when you follow God? Joy! There is delight in doing what God wants
because it is only then that we are doing what we were created to do. We
are accomplishing our purpose. We are following the counsel of an
all-wise, all-knowing God and experiencing the countless benefits that
come with that: We're not harming anyone and being eaten alive with
guilt. We're not continually embarrassing ourselves (and those who love
us) with our behavior. But how in the world can we do everything the
Lord wants? By surrendering to him and immersing ourselves in his
Word, we will begin to delight in doing what he has planned. Thinking
about his law day and night is what brings true joy not only to our
hearts but also to God's.
Dear GOD, more than anything, I want to make you happy. I
want to do and be all that you planned when you created me. It's your
counsel I want to follow, your side I want to be on, and your behavior I
most want to imitate. Help me to continually think of you and the
words you wrote so that I might experience your joy. May you smile
when you think of me. [Praying Through The Bible By Fuller]
I have noticed that Christians, generally speaking, seem to
be preoccupied with knowing more about themselves rather than
knowing more about God. Ask any Christian bookshop manager: "What are
the best-selling books?" Not those that unfold for us the nature of
God, but those that direct us toward such things as how to get a
better self-image, how to manage money, how to find inner healing, how
to get more excitement out of life, and so on. Not that these
subjects are unimportant, but they are explored in a self-absorbed way
that gives the idea that the most important thing in life is knowing
ourselves better. It isn't. The most important thing in life is knowing
God better.
John Lancaster, a minister in Cardiff, South Wales, in an
article entitled "Where on Earth Is God?" asks the question: "Given a
choice between attending a seminar, say, on the 'Glory of God in
Isaiah' and one on 'The Christian and Sex,' to which would you go?" He
makes the point also that although the church often answers the
questions that people are asking, the real problem may be that people are
not asking the right questions. In today's church we are far too
man-centered and not God-centered.
It is not by accident, I believe, that the Bible opens with
the thunderous acclaim: "In the beginning God." I tell you with all
the conviction of which I am capable: if God is not our primary
focus, then everything else will soon get out of focus.
O Father, from this day help me determine to make You my
primary focus. And give me the grace and strength to maintain it,
through all the fluctuations and uncertainties of the days ahead. In
Jesus' name I pray. Amen. [Every Day With Jesus Bible with Selwyn
Hughes devotionals]
Come to Me with a teachable spirit, eager to be changed. A close
walk with Me is a life of continual newness. Do not cling to old ways
as you step into a new year. Instead, seek My Face with an open
mind, knowing that your journey with Me involves being transformed by
the renewing of your mind. As you focus your thoughts on Me, be
aware that I am fully attentive to you. I see you with a steady eye,
because My attention span is infinite. I know and understand you
completely; My thoughts embrace you in everlasting Love. I also know the
plans I have for you: plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans
to give you hope and a future. Give yourself fully to this
adventure of increasing attentiveness to My Presence. (Rom. 12:2; Jer.
29:11) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
TREMENDOUS SERMON ON THIS TOPIC FOR THE NEW YEAR:
Click on:
http://www.lluc.org/article/161/services-sabbath-school/sermon-video-library/2013-sermon-videos
Then Click on the sermon entitled: A Guiding Light - 12/28/13 by
Randy Roberts
