Their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night. Psalm 1:2 (NRSV)
Psalm 1 draws a powerful contrast between the righteous and the wicked. One walks with God, the other with sinners. One is like a fruitful tree, the other like blown-away chaff. The Lord watches over the one, and the way of the other leads to destruction.
What a contrast! What makes the difference? The difference is in the Lord's watchfulness and in the righteous person's obedience in living for God and meditating on God's law.
God has designed us to use our minds in living for him. I passed a billboard the other day that proclaimed in bold letters, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste." God's teaching in the Bible agrees with that statement.
We're not sure who wrote Psalm 1, but the writer knew the law of God. In those days that "law" included the first five books of the Bible as we know it today. In it were promises and laws to be memorized along with many stories of God's faithfulness to his people. Faithful followers meditated on God's law, turning all of it over and over in their minds.
Though many other things clamored for their attention, believers focused carefully on what they would mentally chew on. That's all the more true for us when a thousand messages are trying to make their way into our minds every day. How are you using your mind?
Teach me your ways, Lord. Feed me with your promises. Help me to keep your mighty acts in my mind. Give me the strength to avoid wrongful thoughts and ways. In Jesus, Amen.
See God's love, power, presence, and purpose in your life every day!