Like A Tree Planted

Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
    Nor stands in the path of sinners,
    Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
    And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
    Planted by the rivers of water,
    That brings forth its fruit in its season,
    Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

—Psalm 1:1-3 (NKJV)

Heavenly Father,

Help me to delight in being faithfully obedient to Your law.  Let it become my habit to meditate on Your precepts, instructions, and teachings both day and night.

Keep me from being a person who takes the advice of the ungodly to heart—or who follows after their example of bad behavior—only to find I have been led away from the Truth that can only be found in Your Word.

Keep me from being a person who stands around doing nothing, in the midst of an evil people who continue in pursuing their sinful ways, when I should be declaring the Truth of Your Word—having been motivated to such boldness by my great love for others.

Keep me from being a person who sits down, joining company with those who would dare to ridicule You and defiantly reject You—mocking the blessings that are made available to all of us, when we embrace the Truth of Your Word.

Let me be a person who has cultivated a desire to hold Your Word in his heart—whose best joy comes from considering, studying and meditating on the Truth of Your Word, at all times.

Let me be a person who is like a tree that was planted by the streams of water—nourished, strong and steadfast—producing the kind of fruit that brings blessing to all those around me, as I allow the Truth of Your Word to guide my life and bring glory to Your Name.

Help me to delight in being faithfully obedient to Your law.  Let it become my habit to meditate on Your precepts, instructions, and teachings both day and night.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

I Will Delight Myself

I will meditate on Your precepts,
And contemplate Your ways.
I will delight myself in Your statutes;
I will not forget Your word.

—Psalm 119:15-16 (NKJV)

Loving LORD,

Let my heart be filled with Your Word—so that I would always consider Your ways and be careful never to forget the Truth of all that You have commanded me in Your Word.

Help me to contemplate those truths that have revealed to me the nature of who You are and the perfection of all Your ways—truths that have been revealed to me through Your written Word, through the words of others, and even by the words you have placed in my own mind and mouth, but always truths that have been brought to light by Your Spirit.

As I delight myself in Your statutes, don’t allow me to fail to apply those laws to my life that my life would be fruitful—for to fail to do so would be to fail to realize all the blessings of peace, joy, and freedom in which You have planned for me to walk.

Help me to understand that in Your Word, as I purpose to meditate on Your Word and not forget the Truth that I discover there, I find You—and in finding You I am made complete.

Let my heart be filled with Your Word—so that I would always consider Your ways and be careful never to forget the Truth of all that You have commanded me in Your Word.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

The Blessings Of Obedience

Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
    Nor stands in the path of sinners,
    Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
    And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
    Planted by the rivers of water,
    That brings forth its fruit in its season,
    Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

—Psalm 1:1-3 (NKJV)

Heavenly Father,

Help me to walk in the blessings of one who is faithfully obedient to Your law—one who delights in and meditates on Your precepts, instructions, and teachings.

I don’t want to be that person who listens to the advice of the ungodly—or who follows after their example of bad behavior—only to find I have been led away from the blessings I find in the Truth of Your Word.

I don’t want to be that person who stands around doing nothing in the midst of an evil people who continue in pursuing their sinful ways—failing to boldly declare the blessings that are found in the Truth of Your Word.

I don’t want to be that person who sits down, joining company with those who would dare to ridicule You and defiantly reject You—mocking the blessings that are made available to all of us in the Truth of Your Word.

I want to be that person that has cultivated a desire to hold Your Word in his heart—whose best joy comes from considering, studying and meditating on the Truth of Your Word at all times, both day and night.

I want to be that person who is like a tree that was planted by the streams of water—nourished, strong and steadfast—producing the kind of fruit that brings blessing to all those around me, as I allow the Truth of Your Word to guide my life and bring glory to Your Name.

Help me to walk in the blessings of one who is faithfully obedient to Your law—one who delights in and meditates on Your precepts, instructions, and teachings.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.