TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
The nineteenth day of our 66-day journey through scripture features a verse from the nineteenth book of the Bible. Psalms is the hymnbook of scripture containing poems and songs to be sung in worship. Some of the are songs “to” the LORD, and others are songs “about” Him.
Our focal passage for today is from the first song, known as Psalm 1, and the words of this psalm create both encouragement and trepidation. Verse six of this song assures worshipers that God “watches over” or protects those who are righteous. The idea that the LORD is personal, loving, and protective is encouraging and comforting. The trepidation comes, though, from two areas of this verse. First, the condition for God’s protection is to be righteous, but according to the Bible, “No one is righteous, no not one.” (Romans 3:10). The requirement of perfection by a holy God is crushing indeed! The second area of trepidation comes from the promise in the second half of this verse that those who wicked will be destroyed.
As sinful, unrighteous people, how can we enjoy the fellowship and care of the LORD, along with deliverance from destruction? Our only answer, our only hope is through the imputed righteousness of the LORD Jesus Christ. He died on the cross to pay for our sins so that we might become the righteousness of Christ.
But the story doesn’t end there. The Good News is that He rose from the grave and defeated death, delivering his followers from destruction and hell. “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” (Romans 3:22). As you read this verse make sure that you have received Jesus (invited Him into your life). In doing so you will be forgiven and blessed. And that’s worth singing about!
“For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.” (Psalm 1:6)
Comments