God's Promises

Psalms 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
 
THIS begins a series of teachings we’ll call “God’s Promises.” We’ll look at verses from various parts of the Bible to understand the many ways God points us to his benevolent care over our life. God’s promises include his covenants regarding Israel and the church, his truth regarding salvation, his law that directs us to righteousness and his wisdom that leads us to the blessings of a righteous life. We begin with the promise: One who meditates on God’s Word will have a prosperous life.
   First, let’s be very clear. The prosperous life has nothing to do with material wealth. This is spiritual prosperity. It means that when God’s Word is foremost on your mind, God’s Word will lead you to  your divine purpose. Your character will be marked with God’s truth. Your thoughts, words and deeds are based on Scripture’s teachings. In essence, when you prosper in God, you become more holy as the Lord is holy. 1 Peter 1:15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.
   This is quite a goal, isn’t it? Do any of us think this is possible? God says it is when you delight in God’s Word and mediate on it day and night. To do so is to have God’s word always on your mind as you encounter various decisions each day. To meditate is to spend particular time on God’s Word to discern what he is saying to you. Perhaps one of the most difficult things for many of us to do is to stop a few minutes to consider the Bible verses we are reading. It is very easy to read through them with an agenda to complete so many chapters or pages in a certain amount of time. But stop here and listen. God is teaching you to dwell on his Word. Bible reading and learning is not a race to see how far we get in a certain amount of time. Reading God’s Word should be as if you are gazing into the face of God. Stop and see his holy reflection revealed to your heat, mind and soul. 
   When you do, you will be as a fruitful, vibrant tree. You will be strong in your faith, sturdy and life-giving to others. The image of a tree producing its fruit in season is a predominant image throughout Scripture and even into the eternal city (Revelation 21). A person who mediates on God’s Word will become deeply rooted in God’s character. You will know how to stop evil, reject mockers and defeat the sinners. 
   God has given us his Word, so we can know him. Meditate on it, and you will prosper in you relationship with him.