Blessed is the man who walks not … nor stands … nor sits

respectively in the counsel of the ungodly, the path of sinners, the seat of the scornful (Psalm 1:1). I am not much of a one for New Years revolutions, yes revolutions where you set unrealistic goals which last a week or too at the most!. On the other hand I see Psalm 1 counselling consistent, steady growth like a tree planted by the waters (verse 3). In verse 1, in typical Hebrew poetry, the Psalmist is drawing our attention to the realms respectively of thinking, behaving and belonging. Going astray is progressive, it starts in the mind listening to the lies of the enemy, it moves to behaviour taking a stand on the lies. It then seeks out the fellowship of those of like mind who scorn truth (see Romans 1:18, 32).

In outlining in more detail the process of falling into sin, James tells that the first stage is being drawn away, and drawn away by our own evil desires (James 1:14). The lies craftily hidden in the propaganda of the age taps into those desires, and the only real counter to propaganda repeated over and over, is to immerse ourselves “meditate day and night” (verse 2) in His Word. There are essentially only two paths. Firstly the one who does these things “shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season … whatever he does shall prosper” (verse 3 again). However “the way of the ungodly shall perish” (verse 6).

If I look back over my life there have certainly been times when there have been significant changes of direction. But these have always followed crises and involved moments of clarity often involving spiritual life and death decisions. However most of it must be “precept … upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little” (Isaiah 28:10). We must not “become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). It is God who gives the victory and the increase.

Father, as we come into this new year please give us Your grace to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in Your work, knowing that our labor in You is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). Success Father is about being faithful, about planting and watering, when we do this, it is then up to You to give the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6). What I want most Lord is to finish this coming year with Your encouragement “well done good and faithful servant.” And I will be sure to give You the honour and glory in Jesus Name Amen