This morning we continue our series entitled, “Refined Focus”, with a mini-series within it entitled “Focusing on the Word”. We are walking our way through the first half of the first psalm. Let’s get back to it. The Bible says:
(Psalm 1:1-3 KJV) “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
(Psalm 1:1-3 ERV) “Great blessings belong to those who don’t listen to evil advice, who don’t live like sinners, and who don’t join those who make fun of God. Instead, they love the Lord’s teachings and think about them day and night. So they grow strong, like a tree planted by a stream—a tree that produces fruit when it should and has leaves that never fall. Everything they do is successful.”
In this message we will focus in on the line: “nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful”, or “who don’t join those who make fun of God.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- We live in a society today where many believe the Bible to be old-fashioned, outdated and obsolete. These people mock God and His teachings. When faced with such mockery, what is your response? Do you accept it? Do you join in, so you can fit in? Or do you take a stand for what you believe in?
- The “Blessed Man” described in Psalm 1 is a man who rejects the ways of the world and the ridicule of the mocker. They believe God, they stand on God’s Word, and they make no excuses for what they believe.
- As a believer you should never be ashamed to say you believe the Bible to be the infallible, inerrant, inexhaustible Word of God.
- The Bible is a compilation of 66 books, written by ~40 authors, over a period that spanned over 1500 years. Its last recorded words were documented about 2000 years ago. It was written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek and has been translated into almost every language on the planet. The mere fact ~40 authors can write 66 books over a 1500 year span and they all come together as one sacred text is nothing less than an act of God. I can round up 40 people from the same neighborhood, the same culture, the same economic background, and the similar mental capacity and I could not get them to come up with anything comparable to the Bible. Its books were written by different people, in different times, for different reasons, but they have all come together as one work. Why? Because the people penned the scriptures, but they were not the authors. They wrote the letters, but they did not manufacture the words. They were the tools, but the Holy Spirit was the mastermind. The Holy Spirit breathed and inspired the words in the Word!
- Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16).
- As a believer, you should never be ashamed of what you believe. There will be mockers who attempt to make fun of God and His Word. They will have their day. God will get the last laugh. Never buckle to the pressure to join in on their foolishness.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a season of refined focus for me. I bring my life into focus in 2016. I meditate and medicate on Your Word day and night. Your Word is my standard. Your Word is the ruler by which I judge my decisions. I align my words with Your Word and my will with Your will. I refuse to sit in the seat of the scornful. I refuse to join in with those who attempt to make fun of You. You will get the last laugh. They will have to give account for their actions one day. As for me, I am not ashamed of You and I am ashamed to say I believe the Bible. The Bible is still right, You are still God, sin is still sin, and I am still committed to pursuing the purpose You established for me before the foundations of the world! You still save and as I enter this day I am not ashamed to let people know about Your saving power! I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
