A Life Worthy

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (Psalm 1:6)

There is yet another massive wildfire in my area this week. Our home is in no danger, but my family and I have watched from the window and seen the flames consume the hillsides near us.

I see a lot of chaff being burned up.

I also see a lot of homes threatened, though as I write this none has been lost. Times like this always make me wonder about verses like this. It seems like God is saying that His people will be protected from the fire, but we know that is not always the case. That leads me into a brief round of “This is beautiful poetry, but we know that life’s not always like that so how can I trust any of Scripture maybe it’s all poetry and I can’t take any of it literally–”

I’m glad you never have those moments, Beloved.

Anyway, it’s at about this point in my mental panic that three things occur. First, I read a little more closely, and I see that the Psalm says that God “watches over” his people, not that he keeps them from all harm. He doesn’t promise that the fire will not come, only that He will be with you in the fire.

Just ask Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Second, I remember that God has a different set of priorities than Michael has. God is far less concerned with the stuff of my life, or even with my life itself, than he is with the eternal me. Me, he keeps safe. Me is untouchable by the flames, be they physical or metaphorical. Me is a life hidden with Christ in God.

Third, I realize that I had a similar meltdown just three verses ago, and I realize that I am indeed a pitiful wretch.

But I’m a pitiful wretch loved by God. I’ll take it.

Happy Monday, Beloved.

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. (Psalm 1:3)

OK, I really appreciate the tree image.  On a day like today, when I’m running crazy, the idea of solid, deep stillness is delicious.  On a day like today, when so little that I do seems to be of real value, the thought of being useful, of fulfilling my purpose, is profoundly satisfying.  On a day like today, when my back aches and the gray is spreading, the hope of not withering invigorates me.

But I gotta tell you, I struggle with the rest of the verse.  I’m trying to be a Psalm 1 kinda guy, but I can’t honestly say that whatever I do prospers.  Maybe I’m not Psalm 1ish enough. Maybe I sit in the seat of mockers more often than I like to admit.  Maybe my meditation isn’t up to snuff.

Maybe.

On the other hand, maybe I don’t have a good enough grip on what it means to “prosper.”  Maybe God is prospering me in ways I can’t see, can’t even imagine.

Yeah, I like that “Maybe” better.

For all that I don’t know—which is plenty—there is one thing I do know.

I wanna be a tree.

Happy Thursday, Beloved.

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the council of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers (Psalm 1:1).

Who do you listen to?  

For my grammar Nazi friends: To whom do you listen?

I’m not just talking about Sunday, but on Monday, Tuesday, and the rest.

I like to listen to talk radio.  I enjoy the news analysis and commentary, but I have to keep one thing in mind—these are not necessarily Christian shows.  A lot of the hosts are not coming from a Biblical perspective. Even though we may agree on many issues, we are fundamentally at odds.

Again I ask:  who do you listen to?  Are you following the teaching of the Word, or of the world?  Are you seeking to imitate Jesus, or celebrities? Are you fellowshipping with Godly believers, or the lost?

The people who surround you, the communion you immerse yourself in, will have a profound impact upon your thought life.  So step back today and take a look at who that is. If you need to make some changes, do so.

Today is a great time for a fresh start.

Happy Tuesday, Beloved