Psalms 1:1,2 (NKJV) Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.
One of the foundational passages for our Iron Men groups, the first we’re asked to commit to memory, is Psalms 1:1-6. Nate chose to revisit the first three verses on Wednesday night. As I spent the the last few days pondering over this passage and applying it to things that are happening in my life at present, it led to today’s commentary.
This passage sets the tone for the Psalms, contrasting the way of life for the righteous and wicked man. It sets the stage, directs our focus, Who and What we should focus on and who and what we should not.
The first verse is particularly pertinent to my life at this moment. The counsel we seek, those we choose to seek and take advice from is of a paramount importance. Most people I know, would choose to seek advice, counsel or support from those who would most likely agree with their actions, view points, wants and desires. Most seek out reassurance that what they are feeling, thinking and doing is right and justified. Therefore, we are reluctant to seek out those we think might tell us something we don’t want to hear or accept. That’s only natural, right?
Paul tells us that there’s a problem in doing that, because we are not to be natural men any longer. We are born again, washed in the blood of Jesus, called to a righteous way of life, thought and action. That sometimes requires us to do that which we don’t want to do, hear what we don’t want to hear.
That includes seeking counsel from a wise, mature, trusted, righteous source. Verse 1 above instructs us to not seek counsel from anyone else. When you are up against it, need help, advice or merely an ear to sound off to, who do you go to? Do you go to someone you can trust to give you a mature, biblical, spirit filled response? Do you take it to someone that you know may have something to say that you might not be willing to hear? Or, do you seek out those you know will never challenge you, how you think, how you feel? Folks like that are generally easy to find, because most are willing to be that person. Most choose to placate and not rock the boat. We are are all, to some degree, broken, injured people and consequently find it easy to slide into that role. It’s easiest to seek those people out and it’s easiest to be that person for others. However, to follow that path, on eaither side, merely serves to pull us further from the Lord and hampers our chance to reconcile whatever it is we are struggling with.
My challenge to you is this, think about the last time you took an issue to another, who was it? What was your motivation for choosing that individual? What was their response? Was it edifying or did it serve to deepen the issue? Did that encounter offer a difficult, but positive evaluation or did it merely serve to justify you, your thoughts and actions?
We must choose whom we associate with carefully, but never more so when we need guidance. Sometimes that’s not easy, requiring humility and discernment. Those qualities require a close relationship with the Lord, a strength of Spirit and a familiarity with His word. Have a blessed weekend.
Proverbs 15:31,32 The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise. 32 He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
In full pursuit of the greatest Trophy,
Scott Pace
