DAY 4

Psalm 1:1-3

“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.”

Psalm 1 opens the book of Psalms by contrasting two ways of life. The counsel of the world shapes one and leads to instability; the other is shaped by delight in the law of the Lord and leads to fruitfulness. From the beginning, Scripture teaches that formation always precedes fruit. What shapes our thinking will ultimately shape our living.

The psalmist describes the one who delights in God’s Word as a tree planted by streams of water (one could say The Water’s Edge 😀). This image speaks of intentional placement, steady nourishment, and deep roots. The tree does not strive to bear fruit; it bears fruit because it is planted well. Its strength is not dependent on circumstances, but on constant access to life-giving water.

For you at the beginning of a year and a church at the beginning of its start, this passage is instructive. God’s desire is not hurried growth, but rooted faithfulness. When a community is shaped by meditation on God’s Word, it becomes resilient, fruitful, and enduring. Today, choose a short passage of Scripture to read slowly and reflect on, asking God to plant His Word deeply in your heart.

Prayer Prompt around embodying Love with Relentless Grace

God, plant us deeply in Your Word. Form us into a people who are rooted, steady, and nourished by Your truth. Let my life bear fruit that reflects Your love and grace to others. Establish this church in faithfulness so that what You grow among us endures. Jesus, I desire more of you and less of me. I pray that as I meditate on your Word, it transforms me from the inside out. It changes my perspective, it heals my heart, and it stirs in me a boldness to embody love with relentless grace, as it is in heaven.

-Amen-