THE GOOD TREE
Psalm 1:1-6
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.
It may sound strange but I would love to be a tree.
A healthy, well-watered tree is an ecological blessing to the surroundings. The branches and leaves shelter the area from the heat and the storm. Strong roots prevent erosion. It’s flowers and fruits attract birds and insects and even small animals, allowing other types of flora and fauna to flourish. It gives so much yet asks for so little; just nutrition from the soil and water.
The Psalmist tells us that the man whose delight is the instruction of the LORD and thus meditates on it day and night is like such a tree. He is blessed because his delight is not in the company of bad people and so he does not choose to spend much time with them, preferring to spend time with the LORD; but much more, he is a blessing to all around him.
The opposite is the man who can’t wait to finish his quiet time or the Sunday worship, to quickly switch on the TV, or check his FB and laugh at the many messages on his WhatsApp. God is an embarrassment or a quaint relic of the past. Goodness is boring and virtue is to be mocked. “The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life”—these are what that man delights in.
Who are the wicked, the sinner and the mocker? The wicked are people who wish (or cause) harm to others. The sinners are the impure, the vile, the evil, who not only tolerate sin but celebrate it. The mocker targets righteousness and virtue and makes them look silly and uncool. You find all of them on your TV, your FB and your WhatsApp.
The Psalmist tells us that in contrast with the righteous, the wicked are like chaff, easily blown away by the merest wind.
Our choices matter. What we delight in will naturally influence how often we spend time with them. And when we spend a disproportionate amount of time with the wicked, the sinner and the mocker, we will be influenced—make no bones about it.
For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
This is a fundamental lesson in life. We need to learn it well.