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.
Father, you delight in those who delight in you. As a good father to his children, your blessing falls upon me when my delight is to know you, mimic you, and be with you. Help me, Lord, to follow your ways. Make your word honey to my lips and rest for my soul. Help me to walk in the light of wisdom and not the worldly darkness you have brought me from.
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.
Lord, plant me in your word. Abide in me that I may abide in you. Give my roots depth so that the wind won’t blow me over. When you take me through tough seasons of life, may the depth of my roots keep the fruit of my life ripe. Keep me by your stream, and keep my eyes on my prosperity ahead: you.
The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
You know, O Lord, how much my heart, in pride, wants to thank you for not making me like this. I, like the Pharisee, want to state the ways in which I’m superior while still looking as if I’m humble in my reception of your grace. Persisting in this leads to the breeze picking me up and carrying me far from your presence. Purge me of this evil! Equip me with a humble and contrite heart. Make me to come before you with the confidence to simply beat my chest and ask for your forgiveness knowing full well that you’re faithful and just to give it!
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
Father, thank you that you provided a way! To you alone be the glory for the salvation of your people! I know that, apart from Christ, I would not be able to stand before you. But in him I’m blameless. I’m counted with the righteous and together we sing, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”
You know my ways and my heart of hearts. I lay open before you, but by your Spirit you have taken this heart of stone, turned it into a heart of flesh, and made me a son. This is the truth of my identity, and through it I lay hold of your promises.
Bless you, Lord, for keeping me. Because of your sustaining grace I will not perish but will be held in your congregation!
Through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Photo Credit: @eckfarms
The Drawing Board 