Reflecting the Image

Scripture:

Psalm 1:1–3

1 Happy are those
who do not follow the advice of the wicked
or take the path that sinners tread
or sit in the seat of scoffers,
2 but their delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law they meditate day and night.
3 They are like trees
planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper. (NRSVUE)

Observation:

The psalmist provides a comparison between happy people and the wicked. Most of us, I would guess, would like to end up in the camp of those who are happy, and therefore he gives us some guidance.

There are people who are always willing to give us advice. It’s important to carefully consider the character of the person who is giving it. Does their life reflect the kind of lifestyle you would want to follow? The wicked will lead us down a path that sinners follow and into a seat of cynicism and scoffing at others.

Happy are those who delight in the law of the Lord. God has given us laws to follow, good principles for life. These are to be on our hearts and minds, day in and day out.

Those who meditate on the law of God are continually fed spiritually. The Spirit of God feeds them through His stream. God’s people grow and become like trees along that stream. They are healthy and produce fruit when their time comes. They fulfill the purpose for which they have been created.

Application:

We have a stream that runs through our property in Kansas. It’s amazing how many trees and bushes grow along that stream. The stream itself isn’t actually visible because of all the foliage around it. What’s fascinating is that this ribbon of green cuts through the center of the land, with fields of grass on either side. The trees grow within about a meter of the water on either side. In the midst of hot and dry Kansas summers, these trees have put down roots near refreshing water, and so they live.

Not only do these trees live, but they flourish in every season. In the springtime, new life appears. Green leaves, and for some, beautiful flowers. The whole area comes to life as the birds return from migration, and the air fills with the fragrance of life.

In the summer, the trees stand strong against the Midwestern thunderstorms. They may bend in the wind and reflect the flashes of lightning, but they stand strong. As the summer wears on and the heat builds, the water in the stream may slow to a trickle, but the trees have been fed long enough that they will be sustained through the summer months.

When autumn comes, the whole place turns into a vibrant scene, as if painted by a glorious artist. Oh, how God must look down and delight in the beauty of His creation. Every tree has its own response to this time of year, turning an array of reds and golds and browns. It’s fabulous.

Then the leaves fall, and winter comes. The outlines of the trees are sometimes stark against the snow and the gray skies, but they stand strong. They may look dormant in this season, but they are still being sustained, storing up energy to begin the seasons again.

And so we, God’s people, are invited to be fed by the stream of God’s law, day and night. As long as we stay close to the stream, we can stand firm in all the seasons of life that come our way. The trees prosper because they are able to live out the life that has been programmed into their DNA. Each tree is different, each with different fruit, different leaves, and different colors in the fall, but each is prospering.

And this is the happiness—the deep-down joyfulness—that we seek. God’s children, being fed by Him every day.

Let’s be trees that are planted by the stream.

Prayer:

Lord, I want to know You more every day. Help me to open my ears to hear from You and learn from You. Help me to remain close to the water so that You can feed me. Amen.