Psalm 1

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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, (vs 1)

I am blessed by God when I choose to listen to Him, ignoring the evil ways of my natural self, shutting out the noise that clutters my mind.

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but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night. (vs 2)

I am filled with joy when my sole focus is God; when I focus on His promises remembering His truth.

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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. (vs 3)

When I purpose my mind and thoughts on Him, I am a strong tree with roots firmly planted in the ground – never faltering, never swaying – immovable in Him.

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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. (vs 4,5)

I will not be like or resemble the ungodly, who are without the peace of God.  Their actions on earth will pass away like the wind.  They will forever be separate from God, my God.

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For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction. (vs 6)

My God will continually watch over my every step all the days of my life.  His goodness and mercy will follow me and my head will be covered by His tender love and protection always.

 

Photos by Alexandru TudoracheRodion Kutsaevchau kamtoDaria Nepriakhina, & Matt Hoffman on Unsplash

Daily Effort

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41

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Walking in life-giving steps requires daily effort.

Deliberately stepping into what God has for you is a choice.

It’s rather easy to stumble, falling into death.

Death?

Walking into self-pity.

Agreeing with rejection.

Joining with unloving.

Listening to fear.

Satan knows our weaknesses.

Tempting us is rather easy as we are so used to succumbing to his pitiful ways.

We are so weak.

Yet, with God, we are strong.

So very strong, we have literally no idea.

No idea, whatsoever, what power is ours.

Power that can shut down the devil’s temptations in an instant.

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Guard yourself.

Guard myself, how?

Writing down your precious blessings from God.

Listing scriptures which proclaim the truth of God over the lies of Satan.

Tuning into worship music, filling your brain with the praises of God.

Telling fear to go.

Cancelling the assignments of rejection.

Declaring God’s power over all.

Then stepping back in line with life.

The life hidden under God’s all-powerful wings.

But you must also choose to stay.

Choose to stay aligned with God.

Completely.

Walking with God produces life.

He’ll take all of your fears and lay them to rest.

Believe Him.

Because He is life.

Your life nestled safely in His hands.

Photos by Olia Gozha & Ben White on Unsplash