Theme: Psalm 1

Tree or Chaff?

 Blessed is the man
   who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
   nor stands in the way of sinners,
   nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
   and on his law he meditates day and night.

 He is like a tree
    planted by streams of water
    that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its leaf does not wither.
   In all that he does, he prospers.

The wicked are not so,
    but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Therefore the wicked will 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 wicked will perish.

If you are one of those people who cuts out scripture verses and sticks them on your refrigerator, odds are, Psalm 1 has been on the frig at some point in your life.  

It’s a short psalm, but it has a message that is timeless and powerful.  It operates on two assumptions:  1.) We have the right to choose what we want to do with our lives, and 2.) How we exercise choice in this life affects more than “this life.”  

We make choices everyday.  Should I turn left or right?  What do I want to do this weekend? What’s the next move with my business?  Should we get married or not?  Should I take this job or that one?  Should I serve God now or later or never?    

Generally speaking, we don’t like being put into categories.  But, scripture puts people in categories. Light/darkness; sheep/goats;  awake/asleep; righteous/unrighteous; saved/lost.  Psalm 1 stands in the same tradition.  It is not a soothing psalm per se.  It is a declaration.  It stands in the presence of human wisdom and arrogance and asks, “Tree or chaff?  Which will it be for you?”  Everybody chooses one or the other.

Bottom line:  It asks us to consider carefully how we spend our time on the planet.  Are we among those who  “walk , stand and sit” where there is no blessing?  Or, do we take our place in wisdom and blessing among those who have an ear for the Word of God?  

We will spend this week reflecting on the teaching of this majestic psalm.  It brings a message that we need to reflect on everyday.  Six fairly simple verses say, “Lend me your ear and think seriously about your life.” The questions it raises are intended to nudge us toward blessing.  Tree or chaff?  Rooted or blowing about? What role does the Word play in my life?  Is my life a testimony to the reign of God in me or am I…well…living for the moment?  

How we respond is up to us.  The choice is ours. 

Gracious Father, bless us with hearts that can hear the word of blessing that your Word has for us in this beautiful psalm.  We need it so desperately.  May we have hearts that discern the difference between “tree living” and “chaff living”.  As we make choices to “walk, stand and sit” each day, may our choices be governed by your counsel  Your word is truly a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.  Amen. 

Randy Daugherty

Stephenville, Texas