Introduction

Beloved, as we gather together today in the sanctuary of our Lord, we find ourselves standing at the crossroads of life, where the path of righteousness and the path of wickedness diverge. We stand, as it were, at the precipice of choice, where the echo of our decisions will reverberate through the halls of eternity. It is here, in this sacred space, that we turn our hearts and minds towards the first Psalm, a passage that serves as a compass for our souls.

"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." (Psalm 1:1-6)

In this Psalm, we find a stark contrast between the righteous and the wicked, the flourishing and the faltering, the watched over and the wayward. It's a tale of two lives, two paths, and two destinies. The Psalmist, in his wisdom, beckons us to choose the path of righteousness, to find delight in the law of the Lord, and to be like a tree planted by streams of water, flourishing and bearing fruit in due season.

And in this, we are reminded of the words of that great preacher, Charles Spurgeon, who once said, "To be a Christian is to be a traveler. We are on a journey through the world. We are up and on the way. But we are not walking in circular paths. We are not rambling about. We are going to a definite place. We are heading toward a celestial city."

So, as we contemplate the words of the Psalmist and the wisdom of Spurgeon, let us prepare our hearts for the message that God has for us today. Let us pray. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for this gathering of believers, for the fellowship we share, and for Your Word that guides us. As we ponder the truths in Your Word today, we ask that You open our hearts and minds to Your wisdom. Help us to understand the path of righteousness and to choose it every day. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Flourishing in Righteousness

As we turn our attention to the first Psalm, we find a vivid image of a tree planted by streams of water. This is not a tree struggling for survival in a harsh desert or clinging to life on a rocky cliff. No, this is a tree that is thriving, growing, and bearing fruit. It's a picture of vitality, of life in its fullest and richest sense. This is the image that the Psalmist uses to describe the person who delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night.

Now, you might be wondering, what does it mean to delight in the law of the Lord? It means to find joy, satisfaction, and pleasure in God's Word. It means to treasure it, to savor it, to let it fill your mind and heart. It's not a burdensome duty or a tedious obligation, but a source of deep and lasting happiness.

And what about meditating on God's law day and night? This doesn't mean that we're constantly reading the Bible or reciting verses from memory. Rather, it means that God's Word is always in our thoughts, shaping our attitudes, guiding our decisions, and influencing our actions. It's like a song that we can't get out of our heads, a melody that plays in the background of our lives.

So, the person who delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night is like a tree planted by streams of water. But what does this image tell us about the life of righteousness?

First, it tells us that the life of righteousness is a life of growth. Just as a tree grows from a tiny seed into a towering giant, so the righteous person grows in their knowledge and understanding of God, in their love for Him and their fellow human beings, and in their likeness to Christ. This growth is not always fast or dramatic. Sometimes it's slow and gradual, almost imperceptible. But over time, the changes become evident. The righteous person is not the same today as they were yesterday, and they won't be the same tomorrow as they are today. They are growing more like the person God created them to be.

Second, the life of righteousness is a life of fruitfulness. Just as a tree bears fruit in its season, so the righteous person produces the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are not qualities that we can manufacture on our own. They are the result of God's work in us, the evidence of His presence and power in our lives. And just as the fruit of a tree benefits others, providing food and nourishment, so the fruit of the Spirit blesses those around us, meeting their needs and enriching their lives.

Third, the life of righteousness is a life of resilience. Just as a tree planted by streams of water does not wither, even in times of drought, so the righteous person remains steadfast, even in times of trial and tribulation. They are not immune to hardship or suffering. Their faith does not falter, their hope does not fade, their love does not fail. They are resilient, not because of their own strength or determination, but because of the living water of God's Word that sustains them.

Finally, the life of righteousness is a life of prosperity. Now, this does not mean that the righteous person is always wealthy or successful in the world's eyes. In fact, they may face poverty, hardship, and persecution. But they prosper in the things that truly matter: in their relationship with God, in their character and integrity, in their love for others, in their eternal destiny. They are rich in faith, in good works, in the promises of God. They are blessed, not with the fleeting and fickle fortunes of this world, but with the unchanging and unending blessings of God's kingdom.

Transition. So, as we consider the image of a tree planted by streams of water, let us strive to live a life of righteousness. Let us delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on it day and night. Let us grow in our knowledge and love of God. Let us bear the fruit of the Spirit. Let us remain steadfast in times of trial. And let us prosper in the things that truly matter. For this is the path of righteousness, the way of life that God has called us to follow.

Faltering in Wickedness

As we turn our attention to the second part of the Psalm, we are confronted with a starkly different image ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO