Last Friday, in "The Sling for God, Part
2", we saw the futility of trying to hide things from God. In the end,
evil is always brought to the forefront. That’s how much God loves us!
Today's glimpse of God through the Psalms comes from the Psalms 1:
"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or
stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but
whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law
day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither whatever
they do prospers." (Ps. 1:1-3 NIV)
David knew, from personal experience, one fact about God that
shines above all others: He knew that our Heavenly Father loves us with
all of His heart. He knew that as a result of God’s love, we are
showered with blessings. When we get to know our Heavenly Father, we
become: "...like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its
fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither -- whatever they do
prospers."
You might think that being compared to a tree is strange; but
let’s think for a moment about withering leaves. We have (had?) a
beautiful hibiscus plant. We keep it indoors for the winter, but summer
finds this gorgeous flowering plant sitting proudly on our back deck,
soaking up the sunshine. This year, however, just before putting the
plant outside, we discovered tiny bugs all over the leaves. We rushed it
outside and began treating it with insecticide. It was not, however,
used to the harsh heat that can come to Southern Ontario in the summer,
and as a result, all of it's beautiful, glossy green foliage is now
hanging down, brown and broken.
It makes you think: Do you want to be like this poor hibiscus?
Wouldn't it be far better to be covered in lush, green, shiny foliage
and brilliant red flowers? God thinks so, and when we spend time with
Him, when we surrender ourselves to Him, when we meditate on His law day
and night, that is what He promises. We are, after all, His children!
What love!
"Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the
assembly of the righteous." (Ps. 1:4-5 NIV)
You can be sure it isn't so with the wicked...We have all had such
people in our lives, people who will do whatever they want without even
a thought of someone else, and as a result, many innocent people are
hurt. David describes these people at the end of time as, "chaff" that
the "wind blows away". They will disappear, because that's what happens
to chaff on a windy day.
I don't know about you, but I'd rather find myself as a lush,
fruit-bearing tree, planted by streams of water than to find myself at
the end of time as chaff being blown away by the wind!
There is but one way to ensure we are like lush trees rather than
chaff: We must choose God. We must choose to delight ourselves "in the
law of the LORD" and meditate "on his law day and night." And since we
know that God's law is summed up in love for God and love for man (See
Matt. 22:37-40), then we must choose self-less love.
I want to follow my Heavenly Father, no matter what. There is none
better. He cares, He loves us so much.
Who will you choose to follow?
In His love,
Rob Chaffart