Psalm 1 – How do I Thrive in my Christian Life?

How to Thrive

Psalm 1 - The way of the righteous and the wicked

1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 

 2  but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 

 3  He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. 

In all that he does, he prospers. 

 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 knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. 

The Optimal Life - Blessed

The first word, of the first Psalm of the Bible’s prayer book is Blessed. The word is reserved for those who experience life optimally, as the Creator intended. He designed us for joy, for peace, even for fun! Just as a rose blooms in the summer and a willow thrives near the water, we are designed to live life richly. If as Christians, we don’t find that to be true, we are missing something. It’s time to study the instruction manual.
So what man, or woman, is blessed? Who is it that thrives on earth and in heaven? In a very real sense, it depends on where we set our hearts, our intentions.

Taking Bad Advice

We could take advice from those who know nothing of God. We could stand around talking to those who choose to disobey Him. We could even sit around and laugh with those who jeer at God’s servants.
But we don’t.  Instead, we love God’s word. The voice of the father guides us on our way, because we actually listen to it.
So does that mean we gain the Father’s blessing because we strive for it? No. But it does mean we must choose. We choose to drink that Living Water that Jesus provides.

Eating the Word

We drink that water by meditating on His Word, guided by His Spirit, resting in His love. We walk in the way that He shows us.

Jesus said “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” He wants us to eat and drink from the Word. This is our life.

In the classic contrasting verses so common in the Psalms, the author compares the wicked to the blessed. The wicked will not stand. They will be blown away. But the righteous will thrive because the Lord knows them.
Lord, you know my path. You walk it with me and guide me. Keep me listening to your Word.  Keep me walking on your path.
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