"Oh, the joys of those who do not follow evil men's advice, who do not hang around with sinners, scoffing at things of God: But They delight in doing everything God wants them to, and day and night are always meditating on His laws and thinking about ways to follow Him more closely. 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 1:1-3).
Of all the great promises from God's Word, I claim none more frequently than these. As I focus on the attributes of God, I truly "delight myself in the Lord" and experience the full, adventuresome life which our Lord promised.
The psalmist expands on what it means to delight ourselves in the Lord. Note these three things: First, we should delight in doing everything God wants us to do; second, day and night we should meditate on His laws; and third, we should always be thinking about ways to follow Him more closely.
Sam had been a loser all of his life, a failure in everything that he attempted. As a result he had developed a very poor self-image and a defeatist attitude.
"Can you help me?" he pleaded. "I really don't know what to do - I am about ready to give up."
Together we read and discussed Psalm 1. He agreed to delight himself in the Lord and to follow the three-fold formula for spiritual success found in this psalm. Immediately his life began to change and within six months the results were dramatic.
"I begin every day delighting myself in the Lord," he said. "I spend special time studying and memorizing God's Word, telling Him that I want to do everything he wants me to, and I am always thinking about ways to follow Him more closely.
"I am no longer discouraged and defeated. My self-respect and confidence have been restored and I am truly experiencing the fulfillment of God's promise: 'All you do shall prosper.'"
The successful, fruitful, joyful Christian who lives a supernatural life is one whose thoughts are focused on our wonderful God and His attributes, who knows and obeys His Word and who delights himself in Him.
Today's Action Point: I determine with the help of the Holy Spirit to delight myself daily in the Lord and experience the reality of His promise, "All you do shall prosper."
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