Let’s keep our meditation in the right place
Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
It should be interesting that passages we have known and studied take on a new light while living in a world-wide crisis. When we take our time to read and listen to the news, we find our minds running to many places and not all of them are godly. The unrighteous of this world are clamoring for position and power hoping that when all of this is behind us that they will have done the right thing. Conspiracy theories abound. Conversations quickly go to what the government is doing wrong and that they should be more concerned about the lives of people.
The message of Psalm 1 has become more focused than ever. We are called here to delight ourselves in the law of the Lord and to meditate on it day and night. We have more time at home than ever before. We have more time to meditate on the Lord and upon His word than ever before. Furthermore, we have a greater need for God’s mind than ever before. As people of God, we need God’s knowledge to know His counsel. In Job 35:16, 38:2, and 42:3 we find the expression “counsel without knowledge.” Since no one today knows the mind of God and most are not interested in knowing God’s knowledge about this crisis, their counsel is without God’s knowledge.
My friends, if we want to be people of strength, refreshment, fruitfulness, security, and blessing (Psalm 1:3, the tree), then our primary source of meditation must be the Word of God, His holy Scriptures. Each of us who are redeemed have the Holy Spirit of God living in us whom Jesus sent to guide us into all truth and to teach us clarity regarding Himself. If we are going to be people of the light, people of the blessing, then we are to meditate in God’s law day and night.
This world is in such desperate need of people with good answers. I cannot give them answers about Covid 19 nor about the economy nor about when we will get back to normal, whatever that will look like. But I can tell them that God is good, that God is just, that God is merciful, that God cares about them, and that God is fully in control today. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, He has written the last chapter and is moving the entire world population to where He wants us. This world needs answers and God will to show them to His people who meditate on His word first and foremost.
Our church here in Jakarta is giving out food baskets every week. This began when one man saw the upcoming need and donated 5 jt, or $300.00 toward the project. Since then, 57 food baskets, sembako bags, have been given. Each week, God burdens someone and the account increases. If you have been wanting to help people who are legitimately suffering due to a lack of work due to the crisis, 100% of what is given goes to buy food. Each food unit cost Rp 150,000 or about $10. If you are in the US and want to donate to this you can use our Paypal account, stevebobbi6@hotmail.com. If you are in Indonesia you can donate to CIMB Niaga account IDR : 800 130 149 700
As you give, pray that these food gifts will show the love of Christ to those whose hearts are far from Christ to realize that the Christians in the community love them with the love of Christ.
Have a great day in the Lord,
PS
