Psalm 1:6: For the Lord Knows

Psalm 1:6
[6] for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (ESV)

My wife and I still laugh at something our daughter said when she was a little girl. We asked her if she hit her little brother. Her response was priceless. She said, "Did you see me?" The truth is, man seems to have the same viewpoint toward God. We act as if we can do things and God won't see us. Yet, God knows everything and sees everything. Our verse today reminds us that the Lord knows!

The Lord knows both the way of the righteous and the wicked. The difference is one of those ways leads to destruction while the other way does not. The righteous man faces many struggles and trials. There are even times of failing and falling into temptation. But over the course of a righteous man's life he is known by the Lord. The Lord cares for his own and guards his way.

The wicked go "their own way." Amazingly, wicked people claim to be free. They are the kings and queens of their own destiny. Nobody is going to tell them where to go. Sadly, their rebellion leads them to wander aimlessly until they meet their ultimate doom. They view a life where God knows their path as some kind of unjust intrusion. In so doing, they reject the only path that leads to life.

In this wonderful Psalm we have seen the righteous man and the wicked man in stark contrast. The righteous are like the strong tree planted by life-giving streams of water. The wicked are like chaff that is blown away, having no purpose. God knows the course of both, but only preserves the life of the righteous.

Recognize today that the Lord knows your path. Ask him to guide you in the way of righteousness. There will be struggles and trials. But, his way leads to eternal life.

Comments

Romans 8:18: For I Consider That The Sufferings Of This Present Time Are Not Worth Comparing

Romans 8:18 [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (ESV) Perspective. What an important word. Let's be honest. We do not like the idea of suffering. We will do almost anything to avoid any kind of suffering. Some churches have gone so far as to preach against the idea of suffering, declaring it to not be a part of the true believer's life. Paul is not shy about the topic. Paul uses the sufferings of this present time as a means to consider the greater glory that awaits us. Perspective. Paul is not in any way attempting to diminish our suffering. A view toward eternity puts our suffering in a proper understanding. Yes, our suffering is terrible. In the grand scheme of eternity it is not even worth comparison. Maybe you are thinking that Paul does not know what he is talking about when it comes to suffering. In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul describes countless beatings, often near death,

Romans 11:24: For If You Were Cut From What Is By Nature A Wild Olive Tree, And Grafted, Contrary To Nature, Into A Cultivated Olive Tree . . .

Romans 11:24 [24] For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. (ESV) We continue looking at the illustration of an olive tree. The root of the tree is the covenant relationship relationship of God with Abraham. Abraham's faith is what this spiritual tree is built on. The first branches would have been the faithful people of Israel, who like Abraham, placed their faith in God. They believed God, just like Abraham, and it was credited to them as righteousness. There were branches of the people of Israel who never placed their faith in God. Because these branches were not true followers of God they were broken off of the tree. Faith in God was the essential element that made the branches true branches of this spiritual tree. Some branches remained. Others, the faithless unbelievers, were removed. After Jesu

Romans 15:20-21: And Thus I Make It My Ambition To Preach The Gospel, Not Where Christ Has Already Been Named

Romans 15:20–21 [20] and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, [21] but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (ESV) We need to be reminded continually that the message of the Gospel is intended to move all across the world. Jesus said that his followers were to preach the Gospel, starting in Jerusalem, and continue preaching the Gospel to the whole world. Christians have not always been good at delivering the Gospel message as far and as often as they should. In the first century church it took intense persecution to motivate the disciples in Jerusalem to bring the Gospel to Judea and Samaria. Once the disciples fled to new regions they shared the Gospel wherever they went. Would the disciples have preached the Gospel without the persecution? We may never know. Some probably would have stayed in their co

Search This Blog