What an unusual time we are living in!

It seems like overnight our lives have changed, our activities have been redirected, and our purpose has been refocused.  A pandemic will do that!

Still, God has not changed.  His word still speaks truth, and we can find guidance and comfort there.

I love the first Psalm.  Concise and direct, it shows us the good path (verses 1 – 3) and the wrong path (verses 4 – 5).  Today as I was reading, it caused me to ask myself some questions.

Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly –

God’s servant doesn’t align with worldly wisdom, but seeks the wisdom from above, so

• Is my first response in crisis to call on the government or call on God?
• Am I driven to collect and hoard or to live with an open heart and hands?
• Do I live cocooned in fear, or am I resting quietly in my Father?
• Does the daily news replace the time I spend in God’s Word?

nor stands in the way of sinners –

• Does my lifestyle reflect my faith – even in a pandemic?
• Is my faith camouflaged or does it shine?
• Do I join in the rants and angst, or do I share the grace and love of the Father?

nor sits in the seat of the scornful –

• Am I known for venting or for blessing?
• Do I look for bad news to pass on?
• Does my speech draw others to my Father?
• Do I speak the ‘word of the day’ or do I speak God’s TRUTH.

Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law does he meditate day and night.

• What makes me smile?
• What causes me to rejoice?
• Where do my thoughts and my heart center as I maneuver through each day?

The answers to these questions give me a pretty good idea of the state of my heart.  I can’t change everything that is going on around me, but I can cling closely to my Father.  I can spend time with Him, knowing that He alone is my strength.  I can face the future with confidence, knowing that He holds my future.

The next verse in Psalm 1 gives a promise to God’s children who are willing to follow the direction in verses one and two.

Psalm 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper.

 When I read that verse, I picture steadfastness, growth, robust life.  Even in the midst of a pandemic?  Yes, for those who know Jesus Christ and follow His way.

The Rest of the Story:

The first Psalm also acknowledges that not everyone is blessed.  There are people who choose to not follow God.

Psalm 1:4-5 The ungodly are not so:  but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.  Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

 Can’t you see that picture?  Chaff, the leftover husks from the threshing of the grain, blows wherever the wind takes it – no root, no foundation, no rest.  When we choose not to trust and follow God, this describes our lives.  When crisis (threshing) hits, chaff hits the fan.

We are not forgotten.  Verse 6 reminds us “For the Lord knows the way of the righteous:” and warns us “but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”

 Even in a pandemic, today is a good day –

a good day to walk in God’s counsel, stand for His way, and be a blessing to those around us.

A good day to delight in Him.

 What blessings are you finding during this challenging time?

 

II Corinthians 4:⁸ We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; ¹⁰ Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.