The Way of the Righteous (Part 2)
I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree
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Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
Psalm 1:1-3 (ESV)
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Yesterday, we talked about the wisdom of living a life that spurns sin and delights in God.
Now, for the person who lives this life, what does it look like?
Something interesting about poetry:
It’s inefficient. Meaning, it often uses many words to say a simple thing.
This is especially true in the Psalms, and it’s one of the little helps I have in the back of my mind whenever I’m trying to break a Psalm down to helpful notes.
In this case, we have a simple message: The blessed person avoids evil, delights in God, and prospers. (This is also one of those proverbs that’s “always true except when it’s not,” if that makes sense.)
Okay, so the person who walks correctly prospers. What does that look like?
Like a mighty tree along a stream, green & flourishing, yielding luscious fruit in its proper time, living its best life.
To be very clear, this is not a health & wealth promise … it’s generally true.
But it’s generally true because this person is living life in line with how God designed the universe to function. Plus God is often generous to this kind of person.
That’s a one-two “punch” of possible prosperity.
I love the imagery of being a kind of tree who is nourished abundantly by the water next to me, growing strong, blessing those around me with comfort and abundant fruit.
It inspires me.
What does this imagery look like for you today?
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2025 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
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