Regarding Wisdom
“[The wise person]…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.” Psalm 1:3
Psalm 1 is part of what’s called wisdom literature in the Bible. All of scripture tells us that wisdom comes from righteous living. A wise person is a righteous person. So where does that leave us sinners?
Let’s think about it: The psalmist wrote in anticipation of a coming Messiah who would save God’s people from their plight. They repeatedly disobeyed God, then mocked him for being ineffective, then found themselves at the mercy of the wickedness they brought on themselves, and blamed God for their unhappiness and discontent. They (we) needed someone to save them, and a Savior came. Jesus Christ died for our sins.
He saved us from our own foolishness so to speak, and as Christians we can’t wallow in guilt about them. We learn from them and go on to do better. As the saying goes, “It doesn’t hurt to glance back at your past; just don’t stare at it.”
Our past sins no longer exist because Jesus took them to the cross with him. The waters of baptism washed us clean as newborn babies, and God’s gift of grace continually nurtures us in the direction of righteousness.
Psalm 1 says that the difference between being righteous or wicked…wise or foolish…winners or losers…is found in God’s word. It’s His will for us, His way for us, His requirements and expectations of us. Meditating on it will help us flourish, not perish.
Whatever we encounter at each season of life and no matter where we’ve been in the past, we not only survive, we thrive and prosper when every fiber of our being is planted deeply in the presence of God.
Father God, we can’t be as wise as You, but You’ve told us to pray for wisdom. You’ve also told us where to find it. Bless our minds and hearts with increased understanding of your will, and thank you for being with us through every season. Amen.
Sandra Milholland
Abilene, Texas
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