Happy to listen to God

Happy are those
   who reject the advice of evil people,
   who do not follow the example of sinners
or join those who have no use for God.
Instead, they find joy in obeying the Law of the LORD,
and they study it day and night. (verses 1,2)

Read Psalm 1

Who do you spend your time with? The more time you spend with someone, the more likely you are to be influenced by that person.

I think the psalm writer has such a progression in mind in the first sentence of this psalm. In the Hebrew, the writer speaks of walking, then standing, and finally sitting. First you tag along and listen, then you stand around and discuss, and you end up sitting down and agreeing with those who scornfully declare, ‘What’s the use of believing in God? Just do whatever you please!’

Instead of constantly keeping company with the wicked, we need to spend time with God, listening to and being influenced by God’s word. That is the way to true happiness, the psalmist insists. That is how we will live confident and fruitful lives in this world.

God of wisdom and truth, make me happy to listen to your word. Help me build my relationship with you, so that I can influence unbelievers rather than be influenced by them. Amen.

by John Vitale, in ‘Guidance for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2002)

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