In principle, we agree with the psalmist when he writes, "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the ungodly." But we also know the power of sin in our lives. We do those things we do not want to do. We do not do the things we want to do. We know futility and wretchedness by experience. How do we quit the way of sin when it seems impossible?

Psalm 1 shows us that if we are to connect with God, we must first disconnect from everything that is going away from God. The first reason is opposing directions cannot lead to the same place. Choose one way or the other, but pursuing both directions is impossible. The second reason is that only one direction leads to God and eternal life. The other direction leads to self-deception, unworthiness and death.

Blessing is all or nothing at all.

For the next few months, I will be writing on a psalm that has held my attention for quite a while. I hope you find this as thought provoking as I do.

Psalm 1 begins with that declaration, “Blessed.” And then the psalmist describes two ways to approach that blessedness. Only one of those ways works. The other way leads to the exact opposite condition, which we will consider in due course.

"Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love" (1 Corinthians 16:13-14).

I read the above scripture recently, and was nonplussed for a bit. How do you be brave when you know you are not brave?