In 2021…
“…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.” Psalm 1:2-3
It's 2021, and I love having a scripture that I feel like I will use as a guide whenever I need to be reminded of God's heart for my life. This year, I feel that Psalm 1:2-3 is the one. I have read this passage many times, but I feel like it has a deeper meaning as I was reading it on the 1st of January.
I loved that this verse's primary focus is the Word of God, especially because recently I have noticed a tendency going on of people trying to discredit the Bible. People have been trying to deny the Bible's authority, including people who say they are Christians. I have read crazy things online, and I feel like as Christians we are getting confused. We end up being dragged with the crowds and their opinions, some who claim they are theologians—but let me remind you that just because someone studied Theology, does not mean that they are good at it. In the same way we have bad doctors, lawyers, engineers, we also have bad theologians (2 Tim. 4:3).
I believe we are getting confused because we don't seek to know the Word of God deeply, or we only read it when we need a word of encouragement for a challenge we are going through.
The thing is, the Bible isn't a book to read and meditate through our human understanding or only if you have a Theology Degree. It's for all of us who follow Jesus, and it needs to be read through the lens and with the help of the Holy Spirit. And yes, I do believe it's God's Word! What a treasure we have in our hands.
Psalm 1:2-3 is about finding delight in it and applying it in our lives and the outcome of it. But what does it mean to delight in the Word? It's finding my joy and satisfaction in it. It's not feeling like a burden or a task, but actually the place I feel alive. It's treasuring the Scripture.
As I find my delight in the Word of God, I will want to live it out and that's what meditate means here. It's not about following rules, but understanding principles that it contains and seeking to apply them day and night in my choices and as I move through this complex life.
The Word of God is supposed to be applicable and not merely knowledge.
But what's the outcome of a life that not only finds delight but also seeks to live the Word of God in their daily life?
"That person is like a tree"— the Hebrews used the picture of a tree to represent an action, something that needs support to grow. And to grow as a healthy tree, the roots need to be established somewhere. They need to be planted by the streams of water — the source of life (God).
The person who finds joy, not just in reading but also applying what God says in His Word, will be well established, and they will grow healthily.
Everything that grows healthily yields fruits, and like a tree, there's an order (season) for it. First, we grow in obedience and application of the Word, and then we produce healthy fruits. When we try to skip steps, the fruits might look good from the outside, but they won't taste the same. A healthy tree where its leaves don't wither doesn't just have an appearance of health—what you see outside is equal to what’s within, and despite the external conditions, it remains firm in and out of season.
The problem, especially in our generation, is that we expect an overnight change. But growth doesn't happen like that. It's a long-term process that has to be established in a relationship with God through his Word. And through that relationship, obedience will flow and whatever we do will "prosper/move forward". Prosperity does not mean lack of troubles. It means that there will always be growth even in the midst of the storm. A healthy tree stands firm because its roots are deeply established.
The focus of Psalm 1 is the contrast between a life lived to glorify God and a life that doesn't. Psalm 1 is a wisdom Psalm. It's about making daily choices that shape your life and future, and that includes those that we are listening to, and also to those whom we're allowing to speak into our lives.
Yes, God's grace is real and is always moving in our lives, and it does get rid of guilt from our mistakes, but for every action, there's a consequence. And at the end of the day, life is still about choices we make and how our destiny can be defined by how we seek to live today.
So in 2021, if you want to be established in anything, be established in the Word of God.
"Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." - Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
For you:
This week I want to encourage you to start a Bible reading plan. I think that rather than trying to read it in a hurry, it is better to establish a routine every day, at the same time and in a certain place at your home(or elsewhere). In weeks that you know, you won't be able to read at the specific time, find a different time. Choose a book from the Bible, I recommend starting with Psalms or some New Testament book, and read a chapter every day, but don't forget to meditate and find ways to apply what you read.
Revised by: Elena Walker
