Week 1: Psalm 1

Psalm 1

We are in the throes of winter now, and the holidays are behind us. The twinkly magic of Christmas has passed, and we now sit in the glow of a new year. With the new year, we find ourselves hoping for a new identity—we are going to be completely different than last year, right? We make resolutions and buy new planners and write down big dreams and goals. 

We are right to do these things—to work toward goals and find ways to improve ourselves. But apart from the power of the Holy Spirit working within us, our goal setting and resolution making is empty. 

This week’s Psalm gives us a picture of two different paths: the path of the righteous and the path of the unrighteous. For the righteous man, the Scripture gives beautiful imagery of a tree that is planted by streams of water that flourishes and prospers in every season. The unrighteous man is pictured as a withering tree that is blown away in the wind. 

Maybe you feel more like the withering tree than the flourishing tree. Perhaps last year was one of your hardest, and you’re still trying to figure out how to tread water. 

God doesn’t ask us to do things “bigger and better” as the world defines it. He doesn’t ask us to meticulously analyze the past and dwell on what we didn’t do right. He instead gently leads us and asks us to listen to His still small voice speaking through His Word. He asks that we remember His faithfulness, and He calls us to obey and remember that He is with us every step of the way.

As you study this week’s Psalm, consider this question: this year, are you hoping to become a better version of yourself, or do you want to be more like Christ? Because if it’s the latter, your goals and resolutions are simplified. Abiding in His word and spending time with Him will guarantee a heart that is more like His. Christ didn’t come to make us a better version of ourselves. He came to make us brand new.