Planted by the Living Waters, Inspired by Psalm 1

Psalm 1 — Planted by the Living Waters “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that bringeth forth his fruit in his season.” Psalm 1:3 (KJV) Psalm 1 gives us a beautiful picture of what happens when we choose to build our lives around God and His Word. The chapter begins with a warning: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” (Psalm 1:1, KJV) Notice the progression: walketh → standeth → sitteth What begins with walking in the wrong direction can eventually lead to standing there, and finally becoming comfortable enough to sit there. God wants us to be careful about the influences we allow into our hearts. The world has plenty of voices telling us how to think, how to live, and where to find happiness, but the blessed person chooses a different source of wisdom. “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” (Psalm 1:2, KJV) There was a time in my life when for a couple of years, I followed “a read through the Bible in a year” plan. Eventually, I stopped. Not because the plan was wrong, but because I found myself more focused on checking off the day’s reading than truly hearing what God wanted to say to my heart. Psalm 1 reminds us that God's Word isn't meant to be something we simply read and put away. We are to delight in it and meditate upon it. When Scripture becomes rooted in our hearts, it begins to shape the way we think, speak, respond, and live. (Reading through the Bible in a year is a wonderful discipline, but like any spiritual discipline, it can become a task instead of a treasure if our hearts aren’t engaged.) Planted, Not Just Sitting Psalm 1:3 says the person who delights in God's Word will be “like a tree planted by the rivers of water.” I love the word planted. A planted tree has roots. It has stability. It has a source of nourishment. Also, note that the tree is planted beside rivers of water. Its ability to survive isn't dependent upon the weather around it. Its roots have access to what it needs. There will be dry seasons in our lives. There will be disappointment, uncertainty, loneliness, and difficult circumstances, but when our lives are planted deeply in the Lord, we have a source of strength that circumstances cannot take away. Jesus said: “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38 KJV). Fruit in His Season Psalm 1 also says the tree “bringeth forth his fruit in his season.” That reminds us that spiritual growth takes time. Sometimes we wonder why God hasn't answered a prayer yet or why we don't see the fruit of something we've been praying about, but we must remember that a tree doesn't produce fruit overnight. God has a season for the fruit. Our responsibility is to remain planted. Keep praying. Keep reading His Word. Keep trusting Him. Keep following Him. Galatians reminds us: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9, KJV). You may not see what God is doing today, but don't uproot yourself because the fruit hasn't appeared yet. Stay planted. Reflection: • What am I allowing to influence me? • What am I feeding my spirit? • Are my roots growing deeper into God's Word? We become more like whatever we continually allow to shape us. So today, choose God's Word. Choose His wisdom. Choose His ways. And when the dry seasons come, remember: A tree planted beside the water doesn't have to fear the drought. Its roots know where the water is. Just stay planted in Jesus. Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your precious Word. Thank You for reminding me through Psalm 1 that I am blessed when I choose Your ways instead of following the counsel of the world. Lord, help me to guard my heart and be careful about the influences I allow into my life. Give me a greater hunger and desire for Your Word. Help me not only to read it, but to meditate upon it and allow it to change my heart. Plant me firmly beside Your living waters. When I go through dry seasons, help me remember that You are still with me. When I don't see fruit right away, help me trust Your timing and remain faithful. Help me to bear fruit that honors You and reflects Your love to those around me. May my life be rooted deeply in You, strengthened by Your Word, and fruitful for Your glory. I pray all of this in the perfect and powerful name of my precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.