David Bahn – Reflections

Psalm 1

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;

2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 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.

4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.

Pastor Robert Lange quoted this psalm by memory at our wedding. That made quite an impression on us all. Over the years the nuances of meaning have also made an impression on me – especially the “walk, stand, and sit” progression. To walk in the counsel of   the wicked is to live by the advice of those who do not order their lives by God’s standards. There is a subtlety to this truth that is only embraced by faith. That’s obvious enough. But the subtlety of this truth is that people who do not order their lives by God’s standards are all around us; and they offer their wisdom and guidance all the time.

From areas of political correctness to fashion, to technology, to entertainment: these experts and pundits offer insight, advise, suggestions, solutions, and guidance through the maze of options, challenges, opportunities, and problems we face on a daily basis. Where do you go when you need computer advice? Not to the Bible, but to a computer geek. Where do you go when you want to choose a movie? Not to the Ten Commandments (though sometimes such a check-in would be helpful), but to the movie critics.

While all truth is God’s truth, not all truth is contextualized from within the foundational truth and reality of God. Godless people can put together a computer, or offer insight into the plot and craft of the latest cinematic offering. But godless people don’t care whether the computer is a tool of God’s blessing or the devil’s curse. And the movie critic can tout the greatest movie that has no place for God and his claim on us. And that is the graver danger: that we order our lives as though there is no God, no moral absolutes, no accountability, no Kingdom to work toward, no higher calling than our own self-interests and satisfactions.

I am using a computer to write this blog. I’ll watch the movie Independence Day on the Fourth of July (it’s a tradition), and we’ll likely go to a show or two here in Branson while on vacation. I – for the first time ever – donated money to a political candidate this year. Those actions are not the problem. The problem comes when I let the world’s wisdom inform my decisions and activities rather than seeking the revealed truth of God’s word.

That’s not to mention the progressive nature of standing among sinners or sitting with scoffers. Standing implies more than simply being with sinners – Jesus spent time with sinners! Standing among sinners means to associate yourself with them; you take your stand with them. You are known to agree with their standards. Jesus never did that. To sit with scoffers implies taking counsel with them, conspiring and working out schemes for their nefarious ends.

But the more profound truth is more subtle. Most of us would reject schemes to undermine decency, good order, or conspire for obvious evil purposes. Most of us would reject taking a stand with those who want to advance the gay and lesbian agenda, or pursue sexual perversions. But to order our lives apart from a love for God’s word, apart from meditating on it day and night, from delighting in the truth of God and his claim on our lives is a higher calling than simply exempting ourselves from evil schemes. And in ordering our lives thusly we are blessed.

Wicked and evil people will not stand in the judgment. Scoffers will not endure. But the godly man or woman will find life and salvation in God. His word will shape our hearts and direct our pursuits. We’ll go to movies, use computers, enjoy modest fashion, and pursue political ends of all sorts. But we won’t do any of that apart from the reality of who God is and who we are in Christ. We will bring forth our fruit in season, and enjoy the refreshment of God’s favor daily.