Psalm 1

¹ How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
² But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
³ He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.

⁴ The wicked are not so,
But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
⁵ Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
⁶ For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish.

This was one of my Daddy’s favorite passages.  I can remember him reciting bits and piece of it to me at various times of my life.  Today, I am both encouraged and convicted by it.  It has become my heart’s cry to God.

“Bless me, Lord, as I seek Your counsel and delight in Your law.  I want to be like that tree, firmly planted by the streams; vibrant and healthy, producing the fruit of Your Spirit; prospering in the things You would have me accomplish for Your will.  I don’t want to be driven away like the chaff, unable to stand in Your presence or among Your people.  I want you to know me, to recognize me, to be pleased with me.  I want You to live Your life through me.”