Psalm 1:1-6
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
- After so many years of little girl dreams about “one day” when I would be married, it’s amazing and exciting to finally be here – a wife, a helper, actually responsible for all those cares I used to imagine how I would manage. It’s such a sudden, new kind of life, that I feel almost like a child again – needing to stop and learn how to manage a simple day, needing to be taught the very basics. It’s been tempting to search online for advice and inspiration, but I need to shun worldly sources of counsel. Sometimes it sounds good, but it’s not the kind of counsel that will bless us. The next verse shows the best place to turn to gain the wisdom for new situations and challenges:
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
- For every single situation, God’s words are the best counsel. Sometimes it may be counterintuitive to what others or maybe even we think is best, but who is wiser? Trust Him and try it.
- How can I do better at meditating in God’s law day and night?
- I can’t think about it if I’m not reading it.
- If I want to be able to think about it during the day, I should read when I wake up. What is the best way to make sure I have time for this in the morning?
- Can I make application from what I read to something I am doing or going through right now?
- Set a small goal to work on that day.
- Ask a question as I read that I can think about throughout the day. For example, “What are some ways I can put this verse into practice which I have not thought of before?”
- Relate the verses I read to the things I am doing during the day.
- Working on a project such as blogging can help! It’s good motivation to keep thinking.
- The word “meditate” is literally to “murmur.” Talk to myself even quietly out loud throughout the day!
- Singing can help direct our thoughts at stressful or busy moments.
- Even if morning is not the time of day when I can set aside a significant amount of time for deep study, prioritize a time during the day to study something in depth. Reading on the same level I already understand doesn’t give me a lot of new things to think about, but delving deeply into a particular topic that I don’t understand well enough gives me lots to think about!
- At night, try to make a habit of thinking about the day from the Lord’s perspective. What would He have thought of my actions today? Of my responses? Of my thoughts? Read back through what I read in the morning, and consider what I learned.
- Before marriage, it was easy to make time to study a lot. Now, there are so many new responsibilities that sometimes I feel like I don’t have time for serious Bible study. But I need to remember Who is responsible for blessing or hindering my work. If I seek Him first and keep Him in my thoughts always, He’ll help me flourish in all He expects me to do.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Beth Johnson