Psalms For The Summer

Over the next three months, our devotionals will focus on the Psalms.

Psalms come from the Greek word psalmoi, meaning “instrumental music,” and, by extension, “the words accompanying the music.” The Psalms are a collection of individual Hebrew religious hymns. They are poetry… wisdom literature that reflects each writer’s most intimate encounters with God. Our prayer is that these devotionals will draw you closer to Jesus and bring you hope and encouragement amid the difficulties and challenges of life.

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,

2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,

   and who meditates on his law day and night.

3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,

   which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither—

   whatever they do prospers.

- Psalm 1:1-3

What a perfect way to begin! The first three verses of the very first Psalm promise a life of joy and happiness to those who do not walk with the wicked, but who delight in living a life which is honoring to God and to His Word. And this is not just an emotional feeling, but a deep abiding joy for those who are in right relationship with God.

I know, for me personally, when I am spending time in God’s Word (meditating on it day and night), and not walking in the way of sinners and mockers, I experience the full extent of the fruit of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). And, like the Psalmist writes, I yield fruit in my life that positively impacts the lives of those around me. As Pastor Jared taught us during this series, bearing fruit is the litmus test of growth in our lives. It only occurs when we are invested in the things of God: His Word, His church, and spending time with Him. When we do these things, a love for others unlike anything the world could ever know exudes from us and touches the people around us.

And, as the Psalmist tells us, we will prosper in all that we do. Not necessarily in terms of financial gain, but respect and a positive impact on our marriage, our family, our workplace, our neighborhood, and our community. We become light in a dark world that is in desperate need of hope, and light, and love.

As we dive into the Psalms this summer, may we experience our own personal, intimate encounters with God, and may it spur us on to love and good deeds.

Pastor Ken

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