Dear child,
What path will you take in life? What stand will you make as you enter
a world with so many options, so many opinions, so many beliefs, and so
many temptations? How will you find the happiness and strength to get up
in the morning with vigor and vitality for a new day? What will shape your
attitude toward life and your hope for the future?
Psalm 1 answers these questions by presenting a contrast of two paths
for your life. There are two ways to go - one path leads to happiness and
the other to disaster. Which path will be yours? I pray that you will choose
the path of true happiness.
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; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and
in His law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:1-2, NKJV)
"Blessed" refers to abiding happiness or joy in your life. Such
happiness is attainable. Consider carefully which path will bring you happiness
that endures.
First, choose your friends carefully. Following the wrong crowd
leads to much heartache and unnecessary suffering. Those who reject the
wise counsel of God, those who delight in immoral behavior, and those who
mock others with a righteous stand for God will always -- repeat, always
-- lead you away from true happiness. They may show you a "fun" time for
a while but the end of their course is always heartache.
Second, realize the danger of compromise. You will not find blessed
happiness when you compromise your faith in God in order to follow the
crowd. Notice the downward spiral: one who "walks" or allows the foolish
teachings of those who reject God to stand uncontested, then one "stands"
or accepts the place of sinful people in their own life, until finally
one actual takes his or her place with those who mock people of faith.
Compromise never accomplishes what God intends for your life, dear child.
It does not lead to true happiness.
Third, get good advice for your life. Friends can be compassionate.
Sometimes they can be very helpful in sorting out a difficult situation.
But true happiness will be found only by consulting the One who has all
the answers. The LORD has graciously given us His word for all time in
the Bible. Take delight in finding out what God has to say about a matter.
"Meditate" on what His word clearly teaches -- this means to read it, think
about what it means, and determine how it applies to your situation. God
really does have the answers and we find them through the patient, persistent
study of the Bible.
He shall be like a tree planted by the
rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf
also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. (Psalm 1:3,
NKJV)
The result of choosing good friends, realizing the danger of compromise,
and taking God's advice for life is that you will be strong and fruitful
in your life. Like a tree continually nourished by an ever-flowing river,
you will be nourished spiritually by the perfect wisdom of God. This will
create strong roots for your life like a might tree planted by the water.
You will be able to stand firm during the storms of life. During the dry
seasons of unfortunate circumstances, others will lapse into despair but
you will not lose your joy. True happiness will be yours in the good times
and through the bad times. Your life will not be wasted but will bear much
fruit. You will prosper because you follow the wise counsel of God.
The ungodly are not so, but are like
the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand
in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For
the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall
perish. (Psalm 1:4-6, NKJV)
Two paths for life: the way of the ungodly and the way of the righteous.
Be certain of your path. The certainty of the ungodly path is nothing but
judgment. No one will get away with anything in the end. God has determined
that those who reject Him and His word will not stand with the righteous
in the day of judgment. In the end, the ungodly will perish. The righteous
who love the LORD, believe and obey His word will forever stand before
God. The certainty of the righteous is life eternal. "For
the LORD knows..." (Psalm 1:6, NKJV).
Choose the right path dear child.
Love,
Dad :-)
Copyright 4/29/2000, Randy Lariscy.
