Promises for the Righteous
I love the Psalms, and Psalms 1 is one of my favorites. I love that I can claim the promised blessings of this Psalm, including the promise that the Lord watches over me.
1 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.
4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
Now you might be thinking that it is rather arrogant of me to count myself among the righteous whom God will watch over and bless. But it is not because of arrogance that I claim this promise. I have no righteousness of my own. Rather, it is the righteousness of Christ my Savior that allows me to claim this promise.
Scripture says that all have sinned, each one of us is by nature a sinner. So how can anyone claim the promise of this Psalm? How can any be righteous? Through Christ alone!
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17.
Once accepted, the gospel of Christ creates in the heart of every believer a desire to meditate on his law day and night. When we meditate on the law of God, when we seek to know and understand His Word, which is Christ, then we become “like a tree planted by streams of water.” We have the Lord to watch over us so that even in drought or trials we will stand. Our souls will prosper and attain spiritual growth that is not possible without Christ Jesus.
Christ is my righteousness that allows me to claim the promises of this awesome Psalm. You can claim them, too!
Share this:
I find that as I draw nearer to Christ I do long to meditate on the Scriptures. I know this is of God because I personally do not desire to read the Bible because I cannot understand it, but with the Holy Spirit’s help it begins to make sense. Just like the promises made in Psalm 1- it is only through my relationship with Christ that any of this is possible. Thanks Linda for this reminder!
Beth, I am so encouraged by your comment that what I am writing here is worthwhile, and I am glad that you are drawing nearer to Christ! Praise God for His great mercy. I know what you mean about personally not desiring to read the Bible. I was the same way, but now He draws me to His word and helps me to understand how it applies to my life. Peace, Linda
I love how you presented that, and showed Christ as our righteousness, that we can be planted and grow. And to remain standing, because of Him. 🙂 Thank you for blessing me so! deb