Two Ways Of Living

TWO WAYS OF LIVING

Psalms 1:1-6

INTRO: The key to fulfilling life’s purpose to glorify God is realizing that we are responsible to God for the conduct and direction of our lives. We are presented with a variety of options, but ultimately the choices are only two: God’s way or the way of the ungodly.

I. THE WAY OF THE BLESSED MAN (Vss. 1-2).

A. Life’s desire is for inner satisfaction, true happiness.

1. Only comes from holiness ( Psalm 32:1; 112:1).

2. Real happiness is not dependent on circumstances (Phil. 4:11).

B. How does man choose the right direction?

1. Refuses to walk in COUNSEL of the wicked (principles men live by) (vs. 1).

a. The “ungodly” or wicked = one cut off from God.

b. Won’t regard advice of those leaving God out of plans.

2. Rejects the life style of sinners (vs. 1b).

a. Sinners deliberately miss mark of God’s moral ideals.

b. Stands not = not his routine practice (1 John 3:9).

3. Declines a seat with scoffers (vs. 1c).

a. Scoffers spurn God’s word and heap abuse and derision on message.

b. Seat = a group gathering; they stick together.

4. Note the progression of involvement: Walking = occasional conformity. Standing suggests more fixed identification. Sit sets the establishment of permanent residence.

5. The genuinely happy person will not accept the thinking of the wicked, much less pattern his life-style after them, nor would he even think of permanent association with them.

C. Secret of happiness = A singular priority in life (vs. 2).

1. Key to Biblical wisdom (Psalm 119:1-2). Law = totality of divine revelation.

2. Key to fellowship (Psalm 119:105; 19:10). Meditate = focus on with deliberateness and discipline. Same word used in Psalm 2:1 “devising”.

II. THE OUTCOME OF RIGHT LIVING ( Vs. 3).

A. Like a tree (stately, stable, abundance of life).

1. Planted (transplanted) = being planted with a purpose. Next to the source of life-giving water (John. 4:14). Spring of Living Water.

2. The right combination yields abundant fruit (Gal. 5:22-23). Produced “in season” — natural result of spiritual growth.

3. Can endure drought-stricken heat of summer (Jere. 17:7-8).

B. All prospers — put roots in God’s word = spiritual abundance.

III. THE CONSEQUENCES OF UNGODLINESS (Vss. 4-5).

A. Like windblown chaff (most worthless material at that time).

1. Dramatic picture of futility & surrender.

2. With no roots, substance, & ultimate uselessness.

B. Condemnation at the judgment (vs. 5).

1. Will not be able to stand (their ground).

2. Nothing to justify their presence among the righteous.

CONC: Psalm 1:6 The blessed man is KNOWN by the Lord. To know = to approve. His whole WAY of life adheres to God’s standards. The wicked WILL perish (Matt. 7:23). The choice is ours. The decision is made by us willfully or negligently.