Psalm 1: Like a Planted Tree

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction. – Psalm 1

Like a tree planted by streams of water … Close your eyes and picture it for a moment.

What do you see?

My mind envisions a large, beautiful tree with lush, green branches filled with leaves. The branches invite you to rest under their shade. The tree, unwavering in its strength and position, has deep roots that have stood the test of time.

It’s a beautiful picture, isn’t it?

But, as I reflect on this chapter, my eyes quickly settle on the words leading up to the picture of the lush tree, Blessed is the one… whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. If I’m honest, I fall short of this description daily. This passage feels like a task I can never live up to.

Thankfully, we don’t have to look at it as a task to fulfill in our own strength. As Christians, we can read this passage through the lens of Jesus and the work he did for us on the cross. He took our wickedness as his own and paid the price so we don’t have to. And, through his incredible gift of mercy and grace, Jesus invites us to come to him often without needing to have it all together. As we read God’s Word, pursue Jesus, talk with him in prayer and spend time with others who do the same, we start to become more like him in the way we think, speak and act. And, our roots begin to deepen and our branches begin to grow.

I want to be a person whose roots run deep, don’t you? Let’s position ourselves to drink deeply from the Word of God and flourish because his life flows through us.

As you spend time with Jesus today, reflect on the goodness of his gift of grace to each of us. Take some time to read Colossians 2:6-7 and John 3:16 and then go back and slowly re-read Psalm 1. Let God’s Word encourage you to draw closer to him. Thank Jesus for his incredible gift of grace. Then, ask him to give you a deeper love for his Word and to continue to make you more like him.