The New Year

“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,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
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.
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.
For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.” - Psalm 1 NIV

Facing a New Year often brings about contemplation about life and where we stand at the moment… and the realization that “I am not where I want to be or thought I would be at this point in life.”

It can bring about the onset of self-help books, diet plans, gym memberships, career planning, or continuing education opportunities. All in and of themselves can be good things (as long as the self help book comes from a Faith foundation and the diet plan is a healthy diet plan), but are these things going to ultimately make us happy or bring about inward joy?

At times the gym and being in condition can make me happy, but joy filled?

Being at a healthier weight can help me feel better about myself, but blessed?

I think you may see where this is leading. Psalm 1 tells about a blessed man. Blessed here meaning “inward joy is theirs”.

In this passage, we see the strong pull of evil and in verse 2 we see that a blessed man is one who “delights in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.” 

Then verse 3 takes that thought further. It talks about the person who reads the word of God and not only contemplates it and and meditates on it, but delights in it, “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.”

The Psalm 1 person is deeply rooted in God’s Word. Like a tree nourished by the constant supply of water from the river. They may not be wealthy, but they will be fruitful in God’s work and strengthened by His Word.

As we contemplate all that the New Year may hold for us… as we make our New Year’s Resolutions and evaluate our past and set goals for our future, let’s start with Psalm 1 and strive to become that person who is “deeply rooted in God’s Word and not easily swayed by the things of this world.”

Let’s strive to become the person that Jesus wants us to be… and constantly drink from His water.

Let’s take up our cross and follow Him.

As we contemplate the New Year, let’s seek Him first.

Be Blessed… 

Keep the Faith… Carpe Diem