With our choices we are either honoring God or we are giving honor to the evil one. In Jeremiah 29:11 we learn the plans that God has for us, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” John 10:10 tells us, “The thief (Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that you may have life, and have it to the full.” When I stop and consider my choices I am convicted of the fact that often I choose the lesser things this world has to offer. By choosing the lesser things of this world I am choosing things that steal, kill or destroy myself or others. Satan is pleased with my choices but my God is not.
“Blessed is the person 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 their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yields their fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever they do prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3.
As I have prayed and meditated in these verses, God through His Spirit has shown me deeper truths from these verses. There is a progression of actions in these verses. First this person has a choice-he can walk with God or with the wicked. Second this person has another choice-he can stand and listen to evil things or he can choose to mediate on God’s Word. Third, this person can choose to sit and participate with those who mock God or he can choose to stay in God’s will and obey Him. The Bible tells us we are blessed if we choose to walk with God. We will become men and women strong in the Lord. We will flourish and not wither away. If we choose what the evil one has to offer, we will slowly wither and be destroyed because this is what he does.
We encounter both Christ followers and those who refuse to acknowledge Him as we go through our daily lives. Daily I need to ask myself, “With whom am I walking? Who do I stand and listen to? With whom am I spending my time and life? Do I choose Christ and His followers to experience life with or do I choose those who mock and hate Jesus? As others observe me, can they tell who I belong to? Do I act like those who mock Christ or do I allow the Holy Spirit to control my thoughts and actions? Do I delight in God’s Word? Do others see Christ in me?”
Walking as God would have me walk is difficult. I need to learn to discipline myself to walk in step with the Holy Spirit.
I need to ask God to give me a deeper hunger for His Word. I also need to choose to spend time with God in prayer and meditation. I love to pray scripture and I often pray Psalm 1 back to God. I ask God to help me to desire Him and His Word and not to yearn for the lesser things that this world has to offer. I ask that my roots will go deep in Him so I can drink and be fully satisfied from the Living Water. I ask His Spirit to help me to bear fruit for Him, and I ask that I would prosper in the way He has planned for me.
I am so thankful for the truth found in God’s word.
If I choose to delight myself in Him, I will bear fruit. I do not know what my future holds but God does. Even when difficult times come, I will not wither. Christ has come that I may have life and have it to the full! Thank you Jesus! May we daily choose to honor God in everything we do.
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Jill, I could hear you speaking these words as I read! What you say is so true. It is the call to “be holy as I am holy.” It is the call to bear the image of God in which we were created. And yes, this is a difficult thing indeed but so pure and so freeing!
Thanks for your words Jill – Now I am off to pray Psalm 1…
Very meaningful devotional. The progression of choices and their results is subtle, but real. But we have to have help. We fail on our own. The Holy SSpirit help is essential. Thank you.