3 he (who delight is in the law of the LORD) is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. in all that he does, he prospers.
4 the wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. [psalm 1:4]
doing right versus doing wrong – is not the real issue that makes one “wicked”.
the real issue is rejecting the ways and person of the LORD. “wicked” is embracing what is against the LORD and his ways. “wicked” also implies one is rejecting the LORD and his ways.
and this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. for everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. [john 3:19-20]
many think if they do good things and try and live a moral life – they will be counted as right (righteous) before the LORD. but psalm 1 tells us more. the real issue is a heart that believes it can make itself right – versus a heart that understands we are “wicked” at heart and need a Savior. we need the Righteous One to make us righteous. we need the Holy One to make us holy.
the real issue for you and i is never about doing good or doing bad. the real issue is will we reject Jesus and his ways – “wicked”. or, will we “delight” find our satisfaction in he alone who can make us right.
if you have found your “delight” in Jesus, if you allowed the Righteous One to make you right before God, rejoice in your salvation! it is nothing you have done or ever will do. but, it is forever worth celebrating. the ongoing fruit in your life proclaimed in verse 3 is evidence of this. the Fruit Bearer in you alone – will forever make fruit in you and through you!
if you have never rested your right standing before God in Jesus – the word says you have chosen the way of the “wicked”. you may do good things or bad things – these are not the issue. the real issue is who makes you right before God and will you surrender to the truth and person of Jesus to make you right.
if you do not – all of your life will be like “chaff that the wind drives away.” profound thought as we enter this new year. as we all take stock of past and look to the future, we want to believe what we do will matter in some regard. this word says, the “wicked” may do a lot but their life will disappear like “chaff that the wind drives away.”
today – trust Jesus the Righteous One, the Holy One to make you right before God.
confess that you have rejected him alone making you right before God. confess that you have tried to make your self right. (this is self-righteousness.) confess that you are “wicked”.
ask for Jesus to make you right before God. trust that he is LORD and that he alone can make you right before God.
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. for with the heart one believes and is justified (make right before God), and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. [romans 10:9-10]
today is the day of salvation – for you and for any who would trust Jesus to make them right before God (justified).
today – trust him.
today – rejoice.
today – LORD Jesus save!
~ john ryan