Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Opening Scripture

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8

Opening Prayer

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation! O my soul, praise him, for he is thy health and salvation! All ye who hear, now to his temple draw near; praise him in glad adoration. Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth. Shelters thee under his wings, yea, so gently sustaineth! Hast thou not seen how thy desires e’er have been granted in what he ordaineth?

Daily Bible Reading

Psalm 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.

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. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Reflection  

This introduction to the 150-song Psalter describes the two ways to live. Everyone chooses to walk the way of the righteous or the way of the wicked. The path of righteousness is blessed, fruitful, and lasting. The path of wickedness is condemned, fruitless, and temporary.

The Hebrew word esher – translated “blessed” – expresses the idea of happiness and contentment. It is not a fleeting emotion, but a settled state of well-being grounded in the goodness and faithfulness of God. This opening word sets the tone for the entire collection of Psalms.

The Psalmist describes a righteous person both by what they do and don’t do. First, the blessed person does not do certain things. The three examples given can be considered related to how an individual thinks, behaves, and belongs.

The New Living Translation presents verse 1 this way: “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked.” The blessed person doesn’t seek counsel from the ungodly. They don’t listen to the advice of those who do not know the Lord personally. We must be wise and discerning about who we let influence our thinking!

Next, the blessed person does not choose the path that unbelievers take. A righteous person lives differently than a wicked person. Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). We must be wise and discerning about who we let influence our behavior!

Finally, the blessed person does not sit in the company of mockers. Beware of hanging out with those who disrespect or ridicule the things of God. “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 14:1). Instead of scorning that which is holy, we embrace the closing statement of the Psalter: “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord” (Psalm 150:6). We must be wise and discerning about the groups to which we choose to belong!

The Psalmist follows the “don’ts” with the “do’s.” The blessed person “delights in the law of the Lord.” The righteous person takes joy in reading and reflecting on God’s Word. In fact, once the blessed person has “tasted and seen that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8), they “long, pant, and thirst for God” (Psalm 42:1-2).

Knowing God through reading and reflecting on Scripture becomes a delightful habit. The blessed person finds himself pondering God and His Word “day and night.” It is “chewing the cud” in a way that allows the spiritual nutrition of God’s truth to get into the soul.

As a result, the blessed person is like a healthy, flourishing tree planted next to a river. In every season, this Psalm 1 tree is strong, stable, and fruitful. On the other hand, the wicked will experience a different outcome, more like dried husks blowing in the wind. God knows who belongs to Him… and who doesn’t.

Flourishing Habit

Flourishing Christian

Psalm 1 has been a theme passage for our church for many years. It’s engraved on the baseboard around our sanctuary. We have developed an outline for discipleship and spiritual growth around this wonderful passage.

When we think about being a “Psalm 1 Person,” we look at the three main parts of a healthy tree: roots, trunk, and branches. Each one represents an aspect of being a “Flourishing Christian.”

Deep roots are essential for flourishing. Knowing and loving God is the foundation for everything else. When we are “saved” by pledging allegiance to King Jesus, our identity is “in Christ.” We are adopted into God’s family, and we receive the indwelling Holy Spirit. We can confidently answer the question: “Why am I here?” Our orientation shifts as we discover our true meaning and purpose.

A strong trunk is essential for flourishing. “Seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” involves living out our calling as we experience “formation” in Christian community. We are “shaped” and “shepherded” together as God’s people. This process of sanctification includes our being “transformed by the renewing of our minds.” We should regularly ask ourselves: “What is God doing in me? Am I becoming more like Jesus?”

Fruitful branches are essential for flourishing. Flourishing involves loving others and being used by God to accomplish His great plan of redemption. Blessed people bless people! We are “sent” to our spheres of influence to live as “salt” and “light” in the world. We should regularly ask ourselves: “What is God doing through me? How am I making a difference?”

Remember, our theme for the Summer is “Making a Difference,” and our focal verse is John 15:8, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” That includes the spiritual fruit of love!

How is your health as a Psalm 1 tree?

Are your roots deep and connected in Christ? Is your identity established as a follower of Jesus?

Is your trunk strong and growing? Are you maturing as a follower of Jesus?

Are your branches broad and fruitful? Are you impacting others and making a difference as a follower of Jesus?

Ask God to show you what you need to do today.

Remember: Nothing changes until something changes!