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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.

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