Having Good Roots

God does not pass judgment on individuals based on race, sex, or national origin. His judgment of them is based on their trust in Him, their obedience, and their reaction to His will. The individuals who tenaciously work or attempt to comply with God’s will resemble vigorous, fruit­ bearing trees with solid roots (Jeremiah 17:5-8). God vows to look out for these individuals, and His wisdom controls their lives. The individuals who do not comply with God have futile lives that are like dust in the wind. Whichever path we choose determines our destiny.

In verses 1-3:

Get SEPARATED – walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly

The psalmist started his hymn praising the delights of being a faithful individual - one who obeys God and will not tune in to the individuals who dishonor or disparage Him. Our companions, friends, and family can impact us. If we demand fellowships with the individuals who laugh at what God considers significant, we sin by becoming unresponsive to God's will. Do your companions help develop your trust in God or do they tear it down? The impact of genuine companions should attract you closer to God.

The psalmist says we ought to maintain a strategic distance from the association of mocking sinners if we want to obtain God’s joy. We ought to likewise look for a comprehension of God through His Word. The impact of scoffers separates us from the brilliance of God's joyful company, as a foreboding cloud separates us from the joy of viewing the morning sun.

• 2 Corinthians 6:17, Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

There are two ways of life before us - God's method for dutifulness, or the method for resistance and death. Are we in the world but not in the world? Do non-Christian friends/family influence us more? If the world influences us, we become separated from God; it robs us of the peace and fellowship with God. Do we prefer dark clouds or SON-shine?

• Psalm 26:5, I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.

• Psalm 17:4, Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.

Get SATURATED – and in his law doth he meditate day and night

We can figure out how to follow God by meditating on His Word. Meditating implies investing energy perusing and contemplating what we read. It implies asking ourselves how we should change so we live as God wants. Knowing and contemplating God's Word are the initial moves toward applying it to our daily lives. If we want to follow God even more intently, we should recognize what He says.

This “law of the Lord” incorporates all Scripture: the initial five books of Moses, the prophets, and the other compositions. The more we are aware of the entire extent of God’s Word, the more assets we will have for our day-by-day choices. The more we permit dark impacts of the individuals who mock God to eclipse us, the more we separate ourselves from our wellspring of sustenance, God the Father.

We should remember that dry ground soaks in water and spiritual nourishment/water comes from God’s Word.

• 2 Timothy 2:15, Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

• Proverbs 15:28, The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

Get SITUATED – and he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water

We should have contact with unbelievers if we are to witness to them, yet we should not be affected to join or emulate their conduct. If we want to despair, invest our time with sneering unbelievers; yet if we want joy, warm up to the individuals who love God and His Word. When we get planted in God’s Word, the deeper roots we will have, and we will become a stronger tree. The more we stay in God's Word, the more fruitful we will become.

• Matthew 15:13, But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

• Colossians 2:7, Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Look at the last part of verse three, whatsoever he doeth shall prosper

That does not mean that we will never face defeat or have adversity. It is not a guarantee that we will always have good health, riches, or contentment. To have prosperity, we must apply God’s wisdom to ourselves and in turn, we will be fruitful and meet God’s approval. This does not mean that what we do in our own power is prosperous, but that God's Word will prosper. The result of the action taken will prosper but it may not happen immediately.