October 26, 2021 – Psalm 1

Well, I got all the way through the book of Revelation even before the end of October. I think I did this in a previous year, only later in the year (December?), and I finished out the year by going back and reading through the Psalms. I think I’ll do that, at least, for two or three weeks.

Of the man who is blessed, the psalmist observes, negatively, that he avoids the unrighteous and their ways; positively, that he delights in God’s Word and meditates on it day and night. I think the psalmist is on to something very important, here. Of those who make no pretense of following Christ, of course, they spend no time at all in the Bible. Of those who bear the name of “Christian,” but who are lukewarm or who have slipped away from God, I suspect the great problem is that they no longer feed on God’s Word. They no longer linger on the great attributes of God. They no longer read the wonderful promises given. They no longer avail themselves of the great comforts that are found in the Scriptures. To spend time in God’s Word is to spend time with him, to be immersed in his goodness, and to find great joy day by day. And, so, we are able to sing:

Come, we that love the Lord,

and let our joys be known.

Join in a song with sweet accord,

join in a song with sweet accord,

and thus surround the throne,

and thus surround the throne.

We’re marching to Zion,

beautiful, beautiful Zion.

We’re marching upward to Zion,

the beautiful city of God. –Isaac Watts (18th century)