How many of you have seen The Hobbit?  Good movie?  I ran across this (picture:  Gadalfstyle) - which strangely enough they deleted from the film.

There’s a line in the movie where Gandalf says to Bilbo Baggins - “Home is now behind you.  The world is ahead.”  What’s familiar and comfortable is in the past.  What lies ahead of you is the great adventure of life waiting out there in the world.

Which in many ways is kind of where we are today.  Today is kind of a weird Sunday.  It falls in between Christmas and New Years. A lot of people are off traveling someplace.  Today is kind of like the Sunday that falls between cracks.  Easy to get lost.  I have two white socks and I can’t find the mates.

Any opportunity to worship God is significant.  Right?  But - seeing as today is a “tweener” Sunday it seems like today might be a good opportunity to catch our breath a bit.  Kind of take advantage of being between things.  To think back.  To think forward - about living in the great adventure that God has for us out there someplace.

To think about some of the choices that are ahead of us.  How we make those choices.

Quick quiz.  Which do you prefer?  These guys (49ers) or these guys (Dallas)?

To eat here (McDonalds) or to eat here (In-N-Out)?

What about here (Taco Bell) or here (Chipotle)?

How about these?  Thinking about the past and the future - where we’ve been and where we’re at.  Would you rather have one of these (8-Track Player) or one of these (IPod)?

Would you rather have one of these (1912 Ford Model T) or one of these (2012 Lotus Elise)?  Maybe neither?

What about one of these (VW Bus) or one of these (Dodge Caravan)?  In reality the VW Bus is tempting.  Isn’t it?

Would you turn with me in your Bibles to Psalm 1 - which is maybe familiar to you.  We’re going to read it out loud together to get it fresh in our minds.

Point being - with our quiz - we have a whole future ahead of us and choices as to how to live in that future.  What we want to pause and think through together is God’s instruction on what we need to keep in mind as we make choices - moving forward into the future He has for us. 

Psalm 1 - starting at verse 1.  Are we all together?  Okay, let’s read together.

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;

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And on His law he meditates day and night.

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.

The wicked are not so,

But are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,

But the way of the wicked will perish.

Notice that this Psalm is a contrast - a description - a choice of two radically different ways to live life.  The first description comes in verses 1 to 3 - which describe the life of the Godly - the benefits of living with life centered in God - what that life looks like.  The second description comes in verses 4 to 6.  Which describes the life of the unGodly - those who have little or no time for God in their lives.

Walk with me through this contrast.  First - The Godly. 

Psalm 1 begins, “Blessed is the man…”  The Hebrew has the idea of being truly happy.  We could read this like “O the happiness of the man…”  

How many people do you know who are legitimately happy?  Not just happy on the outside - like they’re living in denial.  But legitimately happy?

According to the people who research these things - only 20% of Americans are actually happy. (1)  Which seems a tad high.  All of us from time to time - maybe more times than we’d like to admit - all of us if we were asked, “Are you happy?”  There are times when we’d have to answer, “No.  Something deep down is missing.” 

Cathy Guisewite - who created the “Cathy” comic strip… Anyone remember it?  The comic strip focused on a career woman facing the issues and challenges of eating, work, relationships, and having a mother - or as the character put it in one strip, "the four basic guilt groups."

A while back Cathy was the commencement speaker at the University of Michigan.  She said this:   “I graduated with a class committed to open love, open thinking, open doors, open everything.  Twenty-two years later the people of my class are getting cash out of a machine...and it isn’t even possible to get a human being on the phone at the phone company.  In Los Angeles the only chance I have of a meaningful encounter with a person is if I smash into one with my car.” (2)

There’s a mood - a feeling - that we share.  That as we become more advanced - technologically - socially - economically - as we advance we’re falling farther behind from what really matters in life.  Ever feel that?

A few years ago there was a USA Today survey that reported what  people said gave them a feeling of happiness in life.  83% of the people said that satisfaction with their lives was important.  78% said happiness came from having a good marriage.  66% said being able to afford things that are important to them.  63% said having successful children is important.  (3)

If we think about it, those are really good answers.  But how are we suppose to achieve these things?  Doesn’t it seems like while we’re running after happiness - we’re so busy trying to get to this elusive state that we’re not really happy? 

Blessed - in English - translates a Hebrew word “asher” that has the idea of true happiness.  Blessing means a whole lot more than some passing surface emotion - or having things seemingly go right for us.

Being blessed by God has the idea of a profound sense of essential well being - of being rightly aligned at the core of who we are.  Being centered on what’s important in life and experiencing a peace - a settledness in our hearts - as a result.  That blessing is what God brings to us in the reality of where we live our lives.

No matter how wacked out life gets - in the midst of what this world tries to abuse us with - conform us to - beat us down with - in the midst of the survival mentality of this world - God offers each of us something tremendously different.  His blessing - His approval - His provision for our lives - His healing - His purpose for us - life in His kingdom - knowing God and being known by Him.

Psalm 1 begins, “Blessed is the man…”  Psalm 1 is a practical description of what it means to blessed by God - of true happiness - and how to get there.

Going on in verse 1 - first - the Godly man - the man or women whom God blesses - “walks not in the counsel of the wicked”

Walking is how we make decisions as we go step-by-step through life - the choices we make every day about all kinds of things.  The type of speech we use.  How we do business.  The way we spend our money.  In-N-Out verses Chipotle.  What we allow to penetrate our minds - what we watch or read or expose ourselves to.  How we raise our children.  On what basis to do we make those decisions?

The society we live in makes those choices by saying, “Me first!  I want it now!  Everything is relative!  If its truth for me then its truth.”  With that philosophy the wicked - the unGodly live their lives.  But, the one who’s found the secret to happiness rejects that - is not counseled by it - in choosing how to live.

Second - verse 1 - the Godly man does not stand “in the way of sinners”

Have you ever stood at the ocean - just about waist deep in the waves - being pushed and pulled by the water?  It takes determination to stand there - to remain standing firmly in place.  That’s the kind of dogged determination that’s being described here.

The sinners - here in verse 1 - are people who are determined to pursue their own way of life - their own self-made - self-centered - godless as it may be - life - regardless of what they may learn about God and God’s love which compels them - pleads with them - to change.  They choose - doggedly - to remain - to stand in their sin.  “Its my life and this is the way I choose to live it.”

The Godly man - the person who’s really happy - doesn’t go there - doesn’t associate with those who choose sin - who prefer to live lives apart from God.

Third, the Godly man does not “sit in the seat of scoffers.”

What’s a scoffer?  Scoffers are those who laugh at God - who mock God and the things of God - who profane what is holy.  Who not only refuse to listen to Godly knowledge and wisdom - but they choose to reject anything that has any association with even the idea of God.  

One example.  This is who?  Richard Dawkins - skeptic - atheists - evolutionist.  Someone who would probably be proud to be called a scoffer when it comes to the things of God.

Remember this?  A few years back in a number of cities there was a campaign led by atheists that included buses and subways signs like this:  “There’s probably no God.  Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.”  We have to get this whole God thing off our backs so we can go out and live life the way we want to live life.

“Atheism - Because some of us have much better things to do.”  Since God doesn’t exist then then I can do whatever I want to do with my life.  Hugely Freeing. 

Let’s be careful.  The issue isn’t that Richard Dawkins is a skeptic - atheist - or evolutionist.  The issue is Dawkins’ - and many others also - His attitude - the scoffing - the mocking of God - the things of God - and even the people who believe in God.

And let’s be careful of this:  What’s being said here in Psalm 1 is not that we should avoid people in a display of self-righteousness and go live in Manitoba in some type of religious commune strumming guitars and singing Kumbaya.

The Godly person - the man or woman - who’s going to experience authentic God supplied happiness - who are going to experience God’s blessing - are going to choose to reject the God mocking philosophy and ideas that these people are choosing to live by.

What’s being pointed out to us here is a huge contrast.  The way of life of the Godly is totally different from the life of the unGodly.  The Godly don’t go there.

Notice the progression - walk - stand - sit.   The Godly don’t take steps in that direction.  They don’t stand for the same things as the unGodly.  They certainly don’t find themselves sitting and mocking the things of God.

Which makes sense.  Doesn’t it?  Can you hear God? “You’re walking away from My counsel.  You’re standing in sin.  You’re mocking Me.  So, I’m going to bless you.”   Why would God do that?

And yet… Let’s be honest.  How easy is it for us to want to live life our way and to expect God to bless us.  Point being:  If we want God’s blessing the Godly choose not to go there. 

Verse 2 - in contrast - the godly man - those who have learned the secret of happiness - put positively - this is how the Godly live - his - “delight is in the law of the Lord - and on His - God’s - law he meditates day and night.”

This is who?  John Wooden - coached 10 UCLA Basketball teams to NCAA National Championships - a great coach.  Died in June of 2010.

This is who?  Bill Walton.  Bill Walton played under John Wooden from 1971 to 1974 - winning two NCAA National Championships.  Back in the days of Watergate and the Vietnam War.  Some of us remember those days.  Yes?  Those were very troubled times in this country when everything - even the basic philosophies of how we’re to live our lives - everything was being questioned.

Bill Walton said this about John Wooden.  “We thought he was nuts.  But, in all his preachings and teachings, everything he told us turned out to be true.  His interest and goal was to make you the best basketball player.  But, first to make you the best person.  He would never talk wins and losses but what we needed to succeed in life.  He didn’t teach basketball.  He taught life.” (4)

So is the word of God.  In the midst of all the confusion and delusion and woundedness and brokenness of where we live our lives the Bible teaches us life.  Those who know true happiness in life have come to realize that the Bible is the book that tells us the truth - that shows us ourselves - shows us what it means to be the men and women that God has created us to be - shows us how to live as God intends - how to experience God’s blessing in the midst of the stuff of life.

A long time ago in a church far far away there was a man named Setrak.  Setrak lived to the very ripe old age of 104.  Setrak didn’t just squeak across the finish line.  At the age of 100 Setrak was still taking the bus to work.

Setrak always seemed to be happy.  He lived a blessed life.  Not that he didn’t have a lot tragedy and hard stuff in life.  In 104 years you have to have gone through stuff.  But Setrak lived blessed.  He always seemed happy - up.

One of the reasons for that blessing was God’s word.  As the Psalm says, Setrak meditated on God’s word.  When I first met Setrak he had read through the Bible about 60 times.  When he died he was working on his 68th.  How many people do we know who could claim that?

Whenever we had a Bible Study and Setrak was there he always had something prepared to share - something that God was teaching him about life.  And, it wasn’t just that Setrak was reading the Bible - he was thinking about God’s word and living by what he was learning.  Imagine at 104 still doing one thing studies and still being blessed by God through that study.  God story after God story.

The Godly meditate on God’s word day and night.  The Hebrew here for “mediate” has the idea of that which echo’s around inside of a person and then resonates out.

In other words, if you could imagine yourself as being empty headed - hollow upstairs - nothing between the ears.  Look in one side and you can see light on the other side.  Or, if that’s a stretch, maybe you could imagine someone else as being empty headed.

The word of God goes in and sort of bounces around - echo’s back and forth - until your head begins to vibrate - resonate - taking on the movement - the sound - of God’s word - and pretty soon - your head vibrates - then your whole body starts to vibrate.  What comes out - what comes out of our mouths - are words that glorify God.  What comes out - physically - are actions that glorify God.

That’s the idea in meditation.  The word of God goes in and, as we dwell on it - ponder it - think about it - memorize it - allow it to confront and change our lives - from deep within God’s word takes over our lives.  So, how we live looks like - is like - what God’s word says.  We begin to live in the happiness - the blessing - that God intends for our lives.

Of course the key to all that is what?  Actually reading the word of God.  Not reading about the word of God - what someone else has written.  Devotional material has its place.  So do works of theology and doctrine.  But it is hugely - crucially - essential - that each of us - regularly - consistently - systematically - without distraction - spend time reading the Bible and meditating on it.

If you’re looking for some suggestions on how to do that - on your Message Notes are a couple of URLs to get you started - or come and talk with me or Pastor Steve Y. after the service.

The result is in verse 3.  The Godly man - or woman - who turns away from that which is unGodly - and instead allows God’s word to permeate his heart and actions - becomes centered on God - becomes like a tree - firmly planted - unmoved by the changing philosophies and distractions and economic and cultural craziness of this world.  He becomes deeply rooted - by streams of water.  His roots run deep into the rich moist soil of God’s graciousness - drawing upon God’s strength - upon God’s truth.

Consider that image:  “A tree planted by streams of water.”  How crucial is that - for a tree - in a desert - think Palestine - rolling hills - weeds and rocks...  How important is it to be planted by a stream?

Jesus was traveling through Samaria and He stopped in a little town called Sychar.  There - by the well of that town - Jesus had a conversation with a woman about her life.  Remember this?

It was very personal conversation with Jesus very gently talking with her about the deeper issues in her life.  This woman was a like a tree desperately in need of watering.  Her soul was dry - longing to be satisfied.

We all face times like that.  When there are needs in our lives - fears - concerns - that take everything from us. 

Jesus uses the well as an illustration.  He says to the woman, “Everyone who drinks of this - well - water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” (John 4:13,14)

Drink the best water on earth - SunnySelect or Arrowhead - whatever - and we get thirsty again.  Life is like that - a restlessness - a longing deep within that never quite gets satisfied.

But, the water that Jesus gives is always available - the stream never stops flowing.  The water that Jesus gives always refreshes - it brings life - life that satisfies - with a love and joy and peace and purpose to it.  A life that begins now and goes on forever.

As our roots get into that water - verse 3 says that the Godly man’s “leaf does not wither.”  Meaning that he or she will have what it takes - vitality - strength - resources.  He, or she, becomes a person of usefulness and value - that “prospers” - that is able to use God given resources of time, talent, treasure - to use God’s blessings to produce godly fruit - a godly character - godly children - godly business - a life which glorifies God and leads others to God.

He thrives throughout the seasons of life - however the circumstances of life may change for better or for worse - the godly thrive.  And, whatever He, or she, does God brings to prosperity and God is glorified.

That’s the godly life.  That’s the secret to true happiness - being in the place where God pours out His blessing on us.  Sounds great.  Doesn’t it?

Verse 4 brings us to The UnGodly. 

In contrast to all that God blesses the Godly with - it takes two words to describe the ungodly:  “not so.”  Say those with me, “Not so.”  All that’s offered to the Godly for the unGodly is “not so.”

Verse 4:  The wicked - the unGgodly - are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 

Harvesting wheat - the bundles of wheat are thrown into threshing machines - straw is blown out and stacked - grains of wheat come out and are taken to granaries.  Floating in the air is chaff - an immense - useless  - empty - dirty nuisance.  Its a cleansing experience when the wind blows the chaff away.

Here today - gone…  tomorrow.  Whoosh.  Nothing of permanence or value.  Just emptiness.

Sometimes we’re tempted think that maybe God’s justice is out of balance just a tad.  Why is it that the wicked seem to prosper?  A lot.  Usually at the expense of the Godly.  Ever think that?

Why do the unGodly always seem to be getting ahead while we’re living in righteousness.  Here we are trying to do the Godly thing and the wicked seem to get all the breaks - all the toys - all the perks of life.  We get jealous.  We compare.  We complain.  We get bitter.

The unGodly may be very successful in the eyes of this world - a beautiful home - nice cars - all the things of life - but ultimately their lives are like giant empty clouds of chaff waiting to be blown wherever the wind - or the philosophies and ideas of this world blow them.

Give ourselves over to the temporary stuff of this world - let all that lead us around - and we’re like pigs feeding at the trough.  Congratulating ourselves for the wonderful slop we’re eating.  While the whole time we’re being fattened up for the slaughter.

The ungodly are living by a world system that’s designed by our adversary to deceive - to suck people in and chew them up - and spit them out.  In that system there’s no happiness.  Pseudo happiness - yes.  Real happiness - no.

So many people come to end of their lives - realize that what they’ve lived for is empty - then they try vainly to find some purpose for their being here - some legacy to leave behind.   But, only God can bless us with real meaning - real value - real purpose for our lives.

Verse 5:  Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.

Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount - a sermon that He began by teaching about the true happiness of the godly - God’s blessing of the Godly - Jesus in that sermon also speaks of judgment.  Speaking of that future day when each of us will be judged by God - when we come to the moment of entering eternity with God or without God.

There’s an eternal perspective to all this that goes way beyond what we see here and now.  Whatever we may - in our self-righteous little worlds - whatever we may focus on - how the ungodly prosper and how we’re so righteous - God sees the big picture - God sees our hearts - God is not fooled by temporary appearances.

God knows those who know Him - those whose hearts are surrendered to Him through Jesus Christ.  Who’s great desire is to totally sold out to God.  To live Godly.

God knows those who may even be in the church - producing works of service - honored and respected by man - doing all the religious stuff of Christianity.  Those who by appearance and self-delusion claim to be Godly.  But at the heart level they live excluding God from control of their lives.

When God evaluates our lives the unGodly will not stand with the Godly.  Without Jesus as our Savior - without God at the center - the present and eternal future of the unGodly is hopeless.

Some take home questions.  Processing Psalm 1 and what we can be thinking about as we head out there... 

When the Psalmist describes the unGodly, it would be so easy for us to think about murderers - rapists - drug addicts - criminals - wicked people - people who have ruled God out of their lives - other people.  It would be very easy for us in vanity and pride to think that the verses describing the Godly are speaking of our lives.  The contrast - the unGodly is about someone else.

But how often do we walk in the ways of this world?  How often we stand in sin?  How often in our actions and words do we profane what is holy?  How many things in our lives distract us from meditating on God’s word?  How open are we to God’s transforming our lives?  Is the prosperity and reputation we experience ours or because of God’s work in us and through us?  Who are we serving with our lives?  Who gets the glory?  Let’s be honest.

That probably uncomfortable to think about.  It should be.  If we’re being honest.  But, the questions remain - no matter how difficult the implications.

What in our lives is truly blessed by God?  Verses - what in our lives is worthless and wasted because we’re living according to this world’s counsel and reason?

Coming to the precipice of a new year - we have a great opportunity - in the choices we make - in humility - in honest - to come and renew our surrender - to let go of what needs to be let go of and to cling to what needs to be clung to - so that by the choices we make we’ll be in the place of God’s blessing - God creating His life in us for His honor and His glory.

_________________________

1. RBC 10.11.94

2. Steve Zeisler, “Real Riches” - Matthew 5:1-6

3. USA Today 01.19.98

4. Leadership, Summer 2001