Listen

The truly happy person doesn’t follow wicked advice, doesn’t stand on the road of sinners, and doesn’t sit with the disrespectful. Instead of doing those things, these persons love the Lord’s Instruction, and they recite God’s Instruction day and night! They are like a tree replanted by streams of water, which bears fruit at just the right time and whose leaves don’t fade. Whatever they do succeeds.

That’s not true for the wicked! They are like dust that the wind blows away. And that’s why the wicked will have no standing in the court of justice— neither will sinners in the assembly of the righteous. The Lord is intimately acquainted with the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked is destroyed.

Psalm 1

Think

The Jordan River is Israel’s lifeline. It flows from north to south, and its banks are covered with lush green vegetation, even in areas that get very little rain. Because of the Jordan, Israel produces more fruit and vegetables today than many of its neighbors.

We people are like plants.

When we are firmly rooted in the well-watered soil of Scripture, we grow and thrive, even through difficult times. But when we leave the riverside and try to survive on our own resources, we shrivel up in no time.

When you are planted by the water of the Word you can survive anything. But if you are planted on the well-worn and hardened path of the crowd, you might get trampled.

What activities and practices keep you rooted in God and the wisdom that comes from above? Stay close to the riverside today.

Jeff Gibelius

Pray

I want to be rooted in you, O Lord. Help me to pray, worship, and study your word in ways that keep me spiritually strong and healthy. Amen.

Go

Before you return to your normal routine, think: What piece of God’s wisdom do you want to carry with you today? How did this encounter with God and God’s word touch you?

And as you go, know this: God is still speaking.

Keep listening.