Always Successful

Filled with greatness, Psalm One calls us upwards to live in such a way that we become like the person it describes. And thereby succeed in all we do. But distracted by our obligations, and pressures, we sometimes forget to stay planted by the stream of God’s living water.

How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Psalm 1:1-3 CSB

Like the apostle Paul confessed in Romans 7, we fail to do the things we should do, while doing the very things we try not to do. But the blessed man in this Psalm is wise enough to stay near the living water stream. And he drinks from its depths, the source of his strength.

Perhaps he’s a farmer and notices that the trees nearest the stream are the most luxuriant. They produce the highest quality fruit, and more of it. So he takes extra water to those furthest away, knowing they’ll need it to survive droughts.

He’s learned that arid times come for all living things. So he drinks long and often from that stream of living water. Preparing for those moments when his parched soul will be unable to drink. And in this way builds a strong faith that stays on the right path, and bears abundant fruit in all seasons.

We likewise need to stay near the stream. No, we can’t keep our noses in the Bible all the time. But we can meditate on Scripture all the day, and learn to apply it to daily life. Then we too will have faith that never fades or withers. Faith that doesn’t stray from God’s path. And that bears fruit, even during times of drought and trial. And in this way, we can succeed in all God wants us to do.

Image by Picography.