Wednesday Devo
Scripture Reading:
Psalm 1:1-3
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
Commentary from the ESV Study Bible:
1:2 the law of the Lord. As the ESV footnote indicates, this could be taken as God’s instruction (Hb. Torah, which often designates the Law of Moses), particularly as he speaks in his covenant. For this reason no one should ever think that such a person receives his blessedness by deserving it, since the covenant is founded on God’s grace. Meditates describes an active pondering, perhaps even muttering to oneself in pursuit of insight. Some suppose day and night speaks of the work of professional scholars who spend all their time pondering the words of the law, but in view of the similar instruction in Josh. 1:8, readers should see this as setting the ideal of facing every situation, be it ever so mundane, with a view to pleasing the Lord by knowing and following his Word.
1:3–4 Contrasting Fruitfulness. Here are two similes, based on agriculture in ancient Palestine, describing the effects of the two kinds of people.
1:3 The first image is that of a tree in a dry climate, which nevertheless thrives because of its constant supply of water. A tree bears fruit, not for itself, but for others; thus, when the faithful prospers, it is not for himself, nor is the prospering even necessarily material, but he succeeds in bringing benefit to others. See Jer. 17:8 for the same image.
1:3–4 Contrasting Fruitfulness. Here are two similes, based on agriculture in ancient Palestine, describing the effects of the two kinds of people.
1:3 The first image is that of a tree in a dry climate, which nevertheless thrives because of its constant supply of water. A tree bears fruit, not for itself, but for others; thus, when the faithful prospers, it is not for himself, nor is the prospering even necessarily material, but he succeeds in bringing benefit to others. See Jer. 17:8 for the same image.
Study Questions:
- In Luke 6, Jesus talks about your life producing fruit based on your heart. True believers will bear fruit that proves they belong to him. They will have a passion for knowing Jesus, worshiping him and serving him. They will love spending time with his body, the Church. They will cherish and study his Word. The psalmist in Psalm 1 expounds on this illustration. People that delight in his Law will be like trees planted by a river, always bearing fruit. Picture that as a believer... being planted by your source of nourishment, rooted in your relationship with Jesus and the truth of his Word. Do these pictures describe your life? What would you say you are rooted in? And what kind of fruit is that producing in your life?
- Trees that are planted by a river bear fruit in every season. Think through that. No matter the weather patterns, rain or shine, storms or drought... it doesn't matter for this tree because its roots have grown deep into the earth and are drawing everything it needs from an endless source. It is completely unaffected by its surroundings. Related this to your life. When you go through seasons of drought or storms, does your faith whither? Does it get stronger? Do people comment on your unusual composure and peace when things don't go your way? If not, what needs to change in order for you to stay rooted in Jesus, the never ending source?
Pray:
- That you would delight in Jesus and his Word and be rooted in him.
- That your life would bear much fruit and your faith would be unshakeable.
This week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
4. Can a person be good enough to go to heaven? No. Because Jesus rose from the dead proving He is God, I believe a person is saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
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