READ
"...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." Psalm 1:1-3

EXAMINE
This passage is encouraging us to meditate on the things of God and separate ourselves from the wicked, sinners and scoffers (vs.1).  The passage tells us that we will be like a fruit bearing tree fed by streams of water that will not only yield fruit but prosperity.  This chapter is a fitting beginning to the book of Psalms because it is setting the stage for seeking intimacy with our God and the truth of God's revelation above all else.  We will always be faced with going with the crowd or popular belief (i.e. the wicked, the sinners, the scoffers), but God's desire is that we meditate on the truth of His word more than the approval or council of those around us.  This is the tention we see throughout the whole book of Psalms...the wicked/scoffers press in on David and his faith is tested and stretched.  Sometimes he relents....sometimes he doesn't, but the tention of will David entertain the council of the wicked or will he mediate and seek the Lord is always there.

APPLY
The stream (vs. 3) is where we find our application.  I am the Fruit Bearing Tree.  Like any Fruit Bearing Tree I am going to grow during certain seasons more than others, but I will always yield some sort of fruit.  How good that fruit is depends on the source of nourishment (water, soil, climate, etc) I am receiving.  So where is my nourishment coming from?  Is the climate around me filled with wicked scoffers who do not love the Lord?  Am I receiving council from sinners who do not love His word and fear His Name?  Is the stream that feeds my roots in proximity to the city dump and therefore polluted?  The reality is we will all bear fruit and the quality of that fruit is dependent on the source of our nourishment.  What is your source?

PRAYER
God may I find my source of nourishment in You and Your word alone.   May I meditate on it day and night.  May the wicked, sinful scoffers flee in the light of Your face and Your glory displayed in the fruit of my life.  May I seek you above worldly favor and approval unrelentingly.

IN YOU
by Dave Hunt
*this song is attached below.  Listen and rest in Him alone today.