‘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.’ (vv1–2) Psalm 1
God’s Word introduces us to God’s way. It is not one we naturally aspire to. It requires that we both submit to God and serve others. In our material world, in which purpose has been reduced to serving personal interests, wickedness too often triumphs.
When I put myself first, God is ignored and others suffer. No surprises, for we know the human heart is desperately wicked (Jer. 17:9).
When serving my interests, wickedness too often triumphs. If our natural inclination is towards evil and doing the wrong thing, it stands to reason that it will demand some effort to do the right thing.
However, history reveals that the best of human intention has failed to turn a fallen world right-side up. Therefore, the effort required is not what we do, but who we serve.
I can never walk in the ways of God until I fully surrender to serve God and God’s global purpose. This will require that I set aside personal ambition in preference for serving God.
Simply said, my experience is that this is the battle of a lifetime. As someone once said, when Paul tells us to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1), our natural inclination is to seek escape by continually attempting to crawl off God’s altar and take back control of our lives. This is one reason we should choose to seek our nourishment within God’s Word, both day and night.
RELATED SCRIPTURE TO CONSIDER: Psa. 51; 1 Sam. 12:6–25; Rom. 3:9–31; 12:1–8.
AN ACTION TO TAKE: What is the biggest battle you have with putting God’s will and purpose first in your life?
A PRAYER TO MAKE: ‘Lord “All to Jesus I surrender, I surrender all”. May I remember to surrender every moment of every day. Amen.’
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
