Sermon. Choosing the Right Path
Scripture Text: Psalms 1:1-6
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. (KJV)
Introduction: “Thus said the LORD, Stand you in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls.” "Stand in the way and ask for the old paths" is a quote from the Old Testament book of Jeremiah 6:16, which is a divine command from the Lord to the people of Judah. It is a metaphor for stopping to reflect on life's decisions, seeking the ancient ways of truth and righteousness that have been neglected, and choosing to walk in that "good way" to find rest for their souls. However, the people in the passage reject this guidance, stating, "We will not walk in it".
Psalm 1 also call on all of us to make a decision and then summarizes the contrast between the righteous and the wicked by describing the blessed life of the righteous as a thriving tree nourished by God's word, and the futile life of the wicked as chaff blown away by the wind. It encourages a life of meditating on God's law, leading to fruitfulness and stability, while warning that the wicked will not endure, lacking stability and facing divine judgment. Is there any way that we can be secured in this ever-changing world? Is our dream of stability possible? Is revival and renewal even possible today! The lessons in Psalms one serves as great encouragement for those who dare to walk upright in a fallen world.
Psalm 1's life application involves choosing the path of the righteous, which means actively avoiding negative influences and habitually meditating on God's Word, leading to spiritual fruitfulness and a blessed life, as opposed to the fruitless, fading path of the wicked. This requires a conscious choice to delight in God's law and to be planted by the "stream" of living water, representing Jesus and His teachings, rather than being blown away like chaff.
First the psalmist makes it clear that there are only two roads in life. There are only two paths of life. The godly path or the ungodly path are manifested in the choices we make. Our decisions are important. First, everyone must decide. Everyone can choose as he or she pleases. The decision is yours. Secondly, not choosing is not an option. Even our indecision is a choice either for God or against God. Finally, no one can choose the consequences of the choice. Each choice is leading us somewhere. Every decision is drawing you close to God or a way from God. We must decide to allow God access into our lives. We must desire change. We must desire to embrace God’s word. It is a choice. We must be opened to God. If we are going to live stable in an unstable world, make a good choice about where you walk, where you sit and where you stand.
1. Make a good decision about where you walk, where you sit and where you stand.
Psalm 1:1-3 “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
a. Refuse to walk in the counsel of the ungodly (listen, follow the advice, be influenced by)
b. Refuse to stand in the way of sinners (by our choices, lifestyle, and attitude)
c. Refuse to sit in their company and joining their sin (taking comfort in opposition against God)
There are ways that we can be secured in this ever-changing world. There is a way to fulfil the dream God has for us. We can be stable in an unstable environment. After all the ups and downs experienced in the Joseph’s life, the bible said: Genesis 41:52 Joseph named his second son Ephraim, for he said, "God has made me fruitful in this land of my suffering." The word "fruitful" means productive, rich, abundant, successful, fertile and rewarding. In other words, stability is possible even in this world which is full of uncertainty and sufferings. In our text, the Lord reveals to us the secret on how we can be stable in this unstable world. If we are going to live stable in an unstable world, make good choices about where you walk, where you sit and where you stand.
2. Make a good decision about what we delight in and what we meditate on.
Psalm 1:2 “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law, he meditates day and night.” Those who are blessed by God not only must turn from evil, they must also build their lives around the Words of the Lord. They must seek to obey God’s will out of hearts that genuinely take pleasure in knowing God’s way and word. Their heart must be captivated by His word. Meditating on His word allows God’s word to shape our thinking, guide our actions, control our emotions and transform our lives.
3. Make a good decision about where we are planted because where we are planted determines our productivity.
Psalm 1:3 “He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” The outcome of those who faithfully seek God and His word is fruitfulness. The word planted talks about stability. It is one of the CONDITIONS that should be met before our lives become spiritually fruitful. The word of God has become the moral FOUNDATION of their life. This verse describes the benefits of a stable life as a life full of God’s blessing and favor. I believe these verses contain the secret of a fruitful and stable life in this unstable world. We must choose an upright walk against the evil system of the world. “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked.” We must choose a righteous stand with God and His word which is contrary to sinful ways of the world. We must choose not to stand in the way of sinners or to sit on compromising seat with the scorners.
If we are going to live stable in an unstable world, I must choose to witness to sinners but the fellowship of the saints. I must develop a heart full of passion for the word of God. I choose to delight is in the law of the LORD and to fill my mind with the word of God by meditating in it day and night.
4. Make a good decision about what it means to be a godly and righteous.
The righteous in these verses are those whose lives are marked by consistency and stability. How consistent are you?
Their lives are certified by effectiveness and productivity. How productive are you?
The righteous are those lives are proven by evidence of transformation and recovery. How much sin do you tolerate in your life? Finally, the lives of the righteous are those confirmed by God’s favor, success and prosperity. “Whatever he does prospers” Are you a prosperous person in your walk with God?
The strength of our stability always depends on the foundation where we stand. Christ and his word should always be the foundation of our life. The unrighteous will suffer rejection by God. Unlike the righteous, the wicked will not stand in judgment, nor will they be found in the congregation of the righteous. Their ultimate destruction will happen as the result of the choices they make. The life of the wicked is characterized by walking in guilt, wrongdoing, and pride which leads to withering and perishing. They will suffer God’s divine judgment. God's Knowledge is perfect, and His judgment is fair. The psalm concludes by stating that the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. All are encouraged to choose the right path. The God honoring path will be a life of meditating on God's law, leading to fruitfulness and stability, while warning that the wicked will not endure, lacking stability and facing divine judgment. These two paths are clearly laid out before us. Every choice we make has consequence. Every decision we make leads down one road or the other. Jeremiah 6:16 says, “Stand you in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls.” Amen.
