Psalm 1 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 1 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Happy 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;
Verse 2but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night.
Verse 3They 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.
Verse 4The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
Verse 5Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
Verse 6for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Devotion
The Guadalupe River in Texas is lined with bald cypress trees that reach heights of 50-100 feet. Even in recent catastrophic flooding, many of these trees have remained, tall and unmoved. Those left have watched houses, vehicles, road wreckage, and other trees float by, and yet still they stand.
In Psalm 1 the strength and faithfulness of those who do not cave to the advice of “the wicked” are described as “trees planted by streams of water.” In the face of great adversity, like a catastrophic flood, those who are rooted in faith are able to stand tall and continue to bear good fruit and prosper.
Being deeply rooted in faith, like a deeply rooted cypress tree, does not exclude God’s faithful followers from experiencing tragedies and hardships. However, being rooted in faith does keep the faithful standing firm in the face of those hardships.
Prayer
Sustaining God, keep us steadfast in your word. Draw us to you every day and keep our hearts and our eyes fixed on you and the path you set before us that we may bear good fruit in love. Amen.
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