PSALM 1 Getting to the Root of Things

Have you been frustrated on your journey, feeling like something’s missing? Do you feel at times that you don’t hear from God? Do you feel that you’re not prospering, increasing, or succeeding on the level you should be? Are you somewhat confused on what steps to take next? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, I have Good News for you. I have the answer you need in 5 simple steps. You keep trying to find the answer in the fruit or lack thereof. But the answer is not in the fruit, it’s in the root. And the book of Psalms chapter 1 shows you exactly how to get to the root.

Psalm 1 is a popular chapter. It’s almost as popular as Psalm 23. As you read the verses below you can almost quote them by heart.

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”

Psalm 1:1-3

Let’s examine these verses carefully so we can find the answers to Life that we need. It’s interesting that the chapter starts by telling us what NOT to do.

1. DON’T FOLLOW WRONG LEADERSHIP

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly…”

Don’t walk in the counsel of the ungodly. In other words, be careful who you get your advice from. This verse points out the importance of leadership because you have to make sure that you’re not getting wrong or evil advice. You need to have the right leaders to counsel and mentor you.

“Remember your leaders who first taught you the Word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and trust the Lord as they do.”

Hebrews 13:7 NLT

2. DON’T CONNECT WITH THE WRONG PEOPLE

“Nor stands in the path of sinners…”

Be careful with who you hang around. Don’t connect with the wrong crowd. Your connection often determines your direction. If I can see what your friends are like, I can see what your future is like. You don’t have to cut people off, but you need to choose wisely who you spend the most time with.

“The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.”

Proverbs 12:26

3. DON’T BE A HATER

“Nor sits in the seat of the scornful…”

The word “scornful” means harsh criticism that shows a lack of respect or approval for someone or something; open dislike and disrespect; a feeling that someone or something is not worthy of any respect or approval. This verse is saying don’t sit in the seat that belongs to the scornful. Don’t be that person who despises the things of God. Don’t be the one who’s always criticizing and complaining. Don’t mock God’s people. Don’t be a hater!

Now that we know what not to do, let’s see what we need to do.

4. DELIGHT IN GOD’S WORD

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord…”

Reading God’s Word is not something you should do grudgingly or of necessity. You should delight in God’s Word. You should rejoice in the Lord’s teachings. The word “delight” means to take great pleasure; extreme satisfaction; a strong liking or desire; a hunger, desire, and appetite; to be filled with passion. Delight is what gives you tenacity and courage. Delight is what makes you persistent. Delight makes it hard for the enemy to pull you away. You must have this passion (delight) if you want to experience all that God has for you.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

Matthew 5:6

5. MEDITATE IN GOD’S WORD

“And in His law he meditates day and night.”

The word “meditate” means to focus on the Word as to understand it deeply; to roll and turn the Word in the mind; to ponder. Meditate in God’s Word day and night. In others words, always read, always study, always confess, always ponder… the Word of God.

Though meditation is good, if you don’t get the “delight” part down first, then you’re putting the carriage before the horse and you won’t get anywhere. This type of meditation will only take place if you have a burning desire for God and His Word.

Let’s recap what we’ve discussed.

1. Don’t Follow Wrong Leadership.

2. Don’t Connect with the Wrong People.

3. Don’t Be a Hater.

4. Delight in God’s Word.

5. Meditate in God’s Word.

If you or anyone can do these 5 simple things, let me give you an analogy of what you’re like.

“They are like trees along a river bank, bearing luscious fruit each season without fail. Their leaves shall never wither, and all they do shall prosper.”

Psalm 1:3 TLB

Here we see the root to prosperity. Many don’t succeed because they didn’t do the 5 things listed above. When you’re not rooted like a tree, any situation or circumstance will knock you down. This may be why you haven’t heard from God. This could be why you’ve been struggling. You’ve been trying to find the answers in your circumstance, but all along the answers were in the root.

“Only be strong and very courageous…This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

Joshua 1:7-8

 ACTION STEPS:

1. Purchase my first book “Life in Righteousness: The Word is Your Life”. There’s a powerful chapter in the book (chapter 4) titled “Passion of Righteousness”. I teach you how to delight in God’s Word and how to continue to develop that hunger in your heart. You need this because delighting in God’s Word is just as important as reading it. You can have the Bible in your home…you can even read it… but if you don’t “delight” in it… you won’t read it enough to be rooted like a tree.

2. Read Psalm 1 in its entirety. Meditate on it until it resonates with your spirit. Follow the 5 simple steps for it is the root to prosperity.

BILLIE MILLER “The Motivational Minister” is a Bible teacher, speaker, and the #1 Amazon Bestselling Author of “Life in Righteousness: The Word is Your Life” and “30 Days of Righteousness: The Word is Your Life Action Plan”. Thousands of lives have been changed through Billie’s powerful teachings. For more information please visit www.BillieMiller.com. Follow Billie on twitter (@BillieMiller7) and on facebook (BillieMillerPage).