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A Planting of Faith Seeds for the Glory of the LORD
Reading and Listening…
“Happy are those who don’t listen to the wicked, who don’t go where sinners go, who don’t do what evil people do. They love the LORD’s teachings, and they think about those teachings day and night. They are strong, like a tree planted by a river. The tree produces fruit in season, and its leaves don’t die. Everything they do will succeed.” (Psalm 1:1–3, NCV)
I have to admit there are times when I read the promises of the Psalms I scratch my head and wonder how that can be. However, that does not reflect on the Psalms but on me. There are times when I read the Psalms and not listen to what I am reading. One of the most important phrases in this morning scripture is “and they think about” when we think about something we’ve read it is the same as listening. To listen to something or someone is to pay attention, to give your undivided attention, to be open and receptive to what you are listening to.
My wife on occasion needs to reminds me that I hear her but I don’t listen to her, when reading the bible the Spirit often reminds me I read but I don’t always listen to what I am reading. I was okay with the first couple of sentences in Psalms 1 but when I read “They are strong, like a tree planted by a river,” I found myself scratching my head not at a loss for words but a loss for meaning. Then as I began to listen to what the Psalmist was saying I began to realize the tree was strong not because of what was above ground but what was below ground.
Not only does the tree get its strength from its root system (the Lord’s teachings) its fruit (our ability to not listen to what evil people do) ripen and matures at just the right time. But when we “listen” to the Lord’s teachings not only will we be fruitful in following the Lord but unlike most trees our leaves (our ability to absorb power from the Son) will not fall and our root system will continue to grow and develop.
The lesson learned by me this morning is: the Psalms are not for casual reading but for a listening reading. The Light and Power of the Psalms (and the entire bible) is not in the words themselves but in what the words speak therefore go and listen.
Believe it! Experience it!
Grace and PEACE!
Gary
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“The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him, and he helps me. I am very happy, and I praise him with my song.” (Psalm 28:7, NCV)
“The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him, and he helps me. I am very happy, and I praise him with my song.” (Psalm 28:7, NCV)
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"Scriptures marked NCV are quoted from The Holy Bible, New Century Version, copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Word Publishing, Dallas, Texas 75039. Used by permission."