Two Men - Two Paths - Two Destinies

DOESN'T it feel like oftentimes we are presented with 2 choices or 2 options and the path chosen usually leads us to a very specific destination?  Recently, I read a book called “The Principle of the Path” and in it the author talks about how that principle works in our life whether we are aware of it or not.  The aforementioned author makes the convincing argument there is a principle that governs what happens in just about every area of life and he refers to it as the ‘Principle of the path”. It is not a rule. It is not a law. It cannot be broken. But that principle has the power to break you says Andy Stanley.   It is being applied to every one of us at every moment of every day.   It can be likened to a cause-and-effect relationship that is at work whether you know it or acknowledge it.

PSALM 1

IN a similar fashion, the first psalm alludes somewhat to that very principle that Andy Stanley talks about in the book mentioned above.   The first psalm is not attributed to a specific author and it falls under the wisdom category.  It begins with the word BLESSED (reminds me of Jesus’ teaching on Beatitudes) and I love the rendering of the Amplified version of the psalm for many reasons.  The Amplified version says to be ‘blessed’ in this context is to be happy, fortunate, enviable, and prosperous.  I want to be blessed. I want to be happy, fortunate etc.  While it’s all ours for the taking but it comes with a price tag where we need to yet again make a choice.

THE psalm described the person who is blessed as one whose delight and desire are in the law of the Lord.  But that person also meditates on God’s law day and night.  God told Joshua after Moses’ death that the Book of the Law was not to depart from his mouth and to meditate on it day and night and THEN Joshua would be prosperous and successful (Joshua 1:8).  Later Jesus would reiterate the same principle to abide in Him and also let the Word abides in us.  As you read the psalm, you will see or experience the blessings that following such a path will lead to.

THE second half of the psalm describes the ungodly.  They are headed for judgment if they don’t change their path. They are compared to chaff that is a representation of dead, rootless, destined for the fired.  In contrast to the righteous who are like trees well planted.  If stayed on that path, it is clear and evident what their destination will be. But there’s good news, we can warn them of the judgment to come.  Opportunity to witness and share the Good News of the gospel with then becomes an imperative.

BELIEVERS in Christ are called blessed.  Psalm began with the word ‘bless’ and end with ‘perish’.  “They have received God’s blessing, and they ought to be a blessing to others, especially to the chaff that will be one day be thrown into the fire. Let’s seek to win as many of them as we can” (Be Worshipful – W. Wiersbe).

" Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set. I ponder 
 every morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you've done it. I relish everything you've told me of life, I won't forget a word of it". Psalm 119:5, 15.