As we move to day 12 of our preparations,
we are confronted with some interesting questions. In a world that holds to no
absolute truth, how do we know what is true? From what source do we learn
absolute truth? Does what we believe to be true really make a difference in our
lives? Our Scriptural focus will answer these questions and more.
Psalm 1:1-6
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in
the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight
is in the law of the Lord, and who mediates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in
season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. 4 Not
so the wicked! They are like chaff that
the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in
the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the Lord watches over the way of
the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
Psalm 1:1-2 confronts
our questions head on. To be “blessed” of God means more than a superficial
happiness. This adjective indicates that God’s favor and grace are upon the one
who is “blessed.” This is directly related to the covenant relationship offered
by God to humankind. Through the covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:3,
22:17-18), God would offer His “blessing” to all nations. Covenants, as we have
discussed, create a family relationship. After the fall of man, God’s
prescription for a restored relationship with Him was through a series of
covenants. Covenants have two components – the Word of the covenant (the
covenant expectations), and the Sign of the covenant (the ratifying sacrifice
of communal meal). Keeping the Word of the covenant brought blessings. Failure
to keep the Word or expectations of the covenant brought “curses” (Deuteronomy
11:26). In the context of Psalm 1, the “blessed” individual avoids the council
of the wicked (unfaithfulness), and dedicates Himself to keeping the Law of
God, that is, the Word of the covenant. Notice the regression involved in
living unfaithfully. Walking
in the way of the wicked degrades into standing
with sinners, which devolves completely into sitting with the mockers. This is a dreadful position of
opposition to the righteous! Those who wish to be faithful to the Word of the
Covenant must understand the expectations of it. Psalm 1:2 tells us this is
accomplished by taking delight in continually meditating on the Law (Word of
the Covenant) of God.
Psalm
1:3-6 reveals the
result of living faithfully (blessings), and unfaithfully (curses). The person
who is right with God (righteous), has a constant source of life (John 15:4).
Like a tree near the stream, he or she derives spiritual life from faithfulness
to the covenant relationship. What results from this close proximity to the
source of life? The one bound to the truth of God’s Word prospers in all that
he does. His leaf does not wither, and in due season he will bear fruit.
To the contrary, the unfaithful one
will be blown away as chaff. Chaff is the useless leftover after the good grain
has been extracted (John 15:1-2). Those found outside the covenant relationship
with God will fall away in the judgment and not be found in the assembly of the
righteous (Revelation 5:13-14).
According to Psalm 1, what we believe to be the truth, and
what animates our actions makes all the difference! God’s Word is the source of
truth (John 14:6). And whether we live “in the Word” or not is a matter of
eternal life and death!
Isaiah 48:17-19
This is what the Lord says—your
Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what
is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. 18 If
only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a
river, your well-being like the waves of the sea. 19 Your
descendants would have been like the sand, your children like its numberless
grains; their name would never be blotted out nor destroyed from before me.”
Isaiah
48:17-19 gives us
some historical perspective to work with in dealing with our questions. Verse
17 spells out unambiguously who is the source of Truth. The Lord, the Holy One,
the Redeemer of Israel, the Lord God is the one who teaches the Truth and
directs the actions of His people. And it should be no surprise that learning
and following these truths will be in our best interest! Pertaining to this,
John 3:2 is revealing. Nicodemus, a Pharisee, came to Jesus at night. Frankly,
he was in the dark, searching for the Truth. He came to Jesus, who we learn in
John 1:4, 9 and 8:12 is the, “light of the world.” And in John 14:6 we
discover that He is the, “Truth.” Nicodemus describes Jesus in a
fascinating way relating directly to Isaiah 48. He says, “Rabbi, we know that you
are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the
signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Clearly, it is Jesus who is the Lord, the Holy One (Mark 1:24), the
Redeemer (Romans 3:24), and the Lord God (John 20:28). It is Jesus who teaches
us the Truth because He is the embodiment of the Truth. It is Jesus who directs
us in the way we should go, because He is the “Way” (John 14:6)! And it should
not be missed that Jesus has credibility unknown to any other man, for only
Jesus lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15). He speaks from the perspective of
perfection. His outlook is not only from a godly worldview, but from a view of
the world known only to God! He speaks credibly and with authority, because He
is from God and He is God (John 1:1, 18).
Verse 18 and 19
suggests that a historical review is in order. The “If only” statement here
demonstrates the failure of God’s people to learn God’s commands and follow the
Truth. A quick perusal of Israel’s history reveals a plethora of examples when
their unfaithfulness led to God’s curse falling on them. From the “Golden Calf”
to the “Giants in the Land” to the temple being destroyed twice, God’s judgment
is sure on those who do not keep the Word of the covenant. As we saw earlier,
living out the Truth brings blessings. Denying the truth and living
unfaithfully results in disaster. “If only” they had followed the teaching of
the Lord and lived out His Truth, then they would have known peace, prosperity
and their children would have persevered in the covenant. Harkening back to the
covenant with Abraham, their progeny would have been as numerous as the sand.
Sadly, as the people of God disregarded the Word of God, they received God’s
curse and deferred God’s blessing!
Isaiah 48:17-19 answers our questions very clearly.
The Lord Jesus is the teacher of the Truth for He is the Truth, and learning
and living this Truth will lead to peace, well-being and children who are
“blessed” (Refer to Psalm 1:1).
Matthew 11:16-19
“To what can I compare this
generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out
to others: 17 “‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not
dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ 18 For John
came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The
Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a
drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right
by her deeds.”
Our
Gospel Reading from Matthew 11:16-19 provides a striking parallel with the
world today. Jesus comes up with an analogy to describe the current generation.
He characterizes them as little children who are bickering back and forth. No
matter what some people believe or want to do, others will not go along.
Instead, they will offer mockery and scorn. This seems to be an example of
subjectivism and general displeasure that sounds strangely like our culture.
Criticism is the order of the day. John is criticized for not eating or drinking
(John was an ascetic who had probably taken the Nazarite Vow), and Jesus was
criticized for eating and drinking with sinners and tax collectors. Whether the
Truth comes in the form of a somber tone of repentance, or a joyful celebration
of grace, many will sit back and mock! How similar this is to our day. Rather
than welcoming the truth, the truth is denied! Christmas trees are now called
holiday trees! Nativity scenes are being removed from town squares. Traditional
beliefs are mocked as arcane and out of touch. The truth is being turned upside
down. As those who are "In Chirst," we must remain grounded and
committed to the Word of God - both Jesus and the written word.
Matthew 11:16-19 gives
us the image of what we were warned about in Psalm 1 and Isaiah 48. If the Word
of Truth is denied, then judgment is not far behind. This should serve as a
stern warning for our culture, and a strong reminder stirring us to
faithfulness.
What
should we do in response? Realize that Jesus is the source of
Truth. Meditate on His teachings which are the expectations or the Word of the
New Covenant. Will this make a
difference in our lives? It will make all of the difference in the world.
We will continue on the straight and narrow path rather than walk, stand and
then sit with the mockers! If we learn and live in the Truth, we will know
peace, we will prosper (bear fruit), and our children will be blessed!
As we continue through these days of introspection and discovery, ask God
to refine your worldview into one based exclusively on the Word of God. It
really is the only Way to find the Truth!
Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by
me.” (John 14:6)
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