My Father? Or the Wicked? The Sling for God, Part 1

by | Nov 22, 2020 | God's Love, The Sling for God, Worship

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

(To access the entire “The Sling for God” devotional series, please click here.)

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My Father? Or the Wicked? The Sling for God, Part 1

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