Sunday, November 06, 2005

Psa 1:1-6 I've been thinking about Psalm One. Below are my shallow reflections. If anyone would like to give me some feedback or your own thoughts, I'd love to hear from you. Blessed is the person who does not follow the advice of wicked people, take the path of sinners, or join the company of mockers. Psalm one has always fascinated me. It seems strange that a book of worship songs should begin with a proverb-like work. The very first word of the book of Psalms is "Blessed". Psalm one describes the righteous man who enjoys God's favor. The focus seems almost to be more on man than upon God. The rest of the book of Psalms seems to focus more on the person of God, and the songs, for the most part, are directed to God. This song, talks about man and God in the third person. It is less personal, and seems to be a strange introduction to a hymnal. It's also worth noting that it begins negatively by describing what the person who enjoys God's favor DOES NOT DO. The person who enjoys God's favor does not follow the advice of wicked people, or take the path of sinners, or join the company of mockers. Why does it begin negatively? Is a man's character defined by what he does not do? Is deciding not to do some things a prerequisite for doing other things? In this case the man who is blessed avoids doing things that are clearly wrong, and chooses rather to delight in God's Word and meditate upon it. It is probably more accurate to say that the psalmist is describing two ways: the Way of the righteous and the way of the wicked. To walk on the way of the righteous, by definition, means not walking the way of the wicked. Many people think it is possible to walk on both roads at once. Psalm one tells us "that is not possible." The psalmist uses a progression of verbs to show change and movement: walk -- stand -- sit, Taking this path leads to judgment and destruction. Fortunately, there is another path which leads to fruitfulness and blessing. (2) Rather, he delights in the teachings of the LORD and reflects on his teachings day and night. A righteous man is not simply defined by what he does NOT do, but also by what he does do. Delighting in the teachings of the Lord and walking on the way of the unrighteous are mutually exclusive. I like this translation "delights" - it describes an emotional as well as volutional (will) response. If you delight in something or someone, it will consume you. You will think about them - focus on them - even obsess. Delighting in God's teachings (his way) leads to reflecting on his teaching day and night. Wow! Lord, please place in my heart and in the heart of my disciples a delight for your teachings. May they be our constant reflection. Cause my heart to obsess, to love, to delight, in your way. Amen (3) He is like a tree planted beside streams- a tree that produces fruit in season and whose leaves do not wither. He succeeds in everything he does. Streams - plural - The person who delights in God's way is in no danger of drying up. He has more than 1 stream. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are my streams of life. If I focus on God's way, he will give me life and cause me to bear fruit in season. The leaves will be ever green - there will be an aroma of life, not a scent of death. The natural picture of a tree beside streams of water is powerful. The tree doesn't work to produce fruit - it comes naturally. The life and vitality are obvious, and, no matter how hot and drought-stricken the environment - this tree is an oasis of life. In this world, how welcome this person must be, and how hated by others. Everything he does will succeed. I can hear someone saying "Yeah right!" I think many people would argue with God here. Seems like lots of godly people fail in business, fail in marriage, fail as parents, etc. What kind of success is contemplated here? I tend to often look at myself as a "failure" - I think most people feel like "failures" quite often. Yet God says this person is a "success". What does he mean? My Hebrew lit professors would probably refer to this as proverbial literature and say "7/10 times this kind of person is going to more successful than the average Joe. It's not a promise, but a proverb." Maybe it means that everything he does will bring glory to God. Is this an OT way of saying he'll hear "Well done, good and faithful servant." I don't tend to put too much stock in what the world says "success" is. I don't think God cares a whit about that either. Success MUST be defined by God and not by man. To be a success in God's eyes - that would be great. (4) Wicked people are not like that. Instead, they are like husks that the wind blows away. (5) That is why wicked people will not be able to stand in the judgment and sinners will not be able to stand where righteous people gather. Husks are like the leftover shells of popcorn. No weight and no value. They are blown away by the slightest breeze. Contrast this with the tree whose roots go deep into the earth, nourished by the streams of water. When the storm of judgement comes, the husks will be blown away, but the tree will stay. It has weight, permanence, value. Judgment reveals essence as much as it judges essence. The judgment is almost a foregone conclusion. When the winds blow the wicked do not stand with the righteous, but rather are blown away like tumbleweeds rolling past sturdy oak tree. The wicked are blown away and the righteous are gathered. Judgment reveals our nature and at the same time separates one kind from another. (6) The LORD knows the way of righteous people, but the way of wicked people will end. Yahweh knows - This song ends by focusing not on the righteous and the wicked, but on God. In the end, God is the weighty One, the only one who matters. He knows the way of the righteous. It does not say that he "knows the way of the wicked", but rather that "the way of the wicked will end." Why is that significant? Why is it important that my way be known by God? If my way is known by him, does that mean that I trodding on his "way"? He knows the way of the righteous, because they walk his way.?? Jesus will say the to wicked "I never knew you." Wow! This is the ultimate lack of weightiness - Not even to be acknowledged; as if you did not even exist. And on the other hand, the weight, the value of being "known" by the Lord, who knows not only our way, but our person. 10:19:48 PM    comment [] Let's Party Last Friday a group of mainland Chinese students from Baptist University came to our house for dinner. The dinner was hosted by our small group, and everyone pitched in with food and drinks. The people from our group had a great time sharing and chatting with these college students. The students have a great time also and it was really a thrill to see how well everyone interacted. My Mandarin tutor, Sandy also came and have a great time. I don't know where she is in relationship to the Lord, so please pray for her. Here is a link to pictures from our party. 6:24:51 PM    comment []

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