We can learn a lot about
relationship by looking to the life of David, and
for quite some time, God has been laying it on my
heart to write a series based on David, as revealed
through the Psalms.
One very remarkable point
about the life of David is that he continually
pursued our Heavenly Father. He loved Him, he
followed Him. Was this the reason why he could be
called, "a man after my own heart; he will do
everything I want him to do." (Acts 13:22 NIV)?
Today, in Part 1 of this
series, let's look at the very first Psalm, Psalm 1:
"Blessed is the one who
does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in
the way that sinners take or sit in the company of
mockers, but whose delight is in the law of
the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and
night." (Psalms 1:1-2 NIV)
Not only did David pursue
God, but he also spent time meditating on his law.
In his mind, there were two classes of people: The
righteous -- the one who delights in God's law; and
the wicked -- those who do not. David knew the
difference. Let's remember that the law of God can
be summed up as this: "'Love the Lord your God with
all your heart and with all your soul and with all
your mind.' This is the first and greatest
commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your
neighbor as yourself'" (Matt. 22:37-38 NIV). Thus,
the choice we have is to choose either love or hate.
David knew this. He had no
doubt in his mind that God loved him. He knew that
God, in His love, would always look out for him, no
matter what he was going through. As a result, when
he choose love, he was blessed. It is no different
for us. When we choose love, we, also, are blessed.
In David's words, we are: "...like a tree planted by
streams of water, which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not
wither -- whatever they do prospers." (Psalms 1:3)
Unfortunately, the second
choice doesn't fare quite as well. Here is what
David has to say about those who choose hate: "Not
so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind
blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in
the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the
righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the
righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to
destruction." (Psalm 1:4-6 NIV)
Because God is love, when
we do not choose the path of love, we are choosing
to turn away from God and we will never be able to
know God as David did. This would close the door for
us to experience the kind of happiness that only God
can give. It closes the door to His guidance and His
protection.
We've all know those who
do not know the Lord. Are they truly happy? They may
think they are, but in all reality, their form of
happiness will always end: "For the Lord watches
over the way of the righteous, but the way of the
wicked leads to destruction." (Psalm 1:6 NIV)
I'm sure there are many
ways to meditate on God's law of love, but here is
one practical method my wife has been doing. She was
recently impressed to read through the Bible one
chapter at a time with one goal in mind: To see
God's love in every chapter. It is a simple thing to
do, and it has been a significant blessing to her as
the reality of God's love has begin to solidify in
her mind, thus making it easier to follow the law of
love.
Remember: when we choose
to meditate on God's law of love, as David did, we
open the door for Him to guide us and fill us with
happiness as well.
In His love,
Rob Chaffart