(Psa 1:1) “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”
(Ps. 1:2) “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”
(Ps. 1:3) “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
How long what? How long do you “delight … in the law of the LORD”? How long do you meditate “in his law”? The psalmist records the answer in verse 2c, “day and night.” Obviously, this means 24/7, or every second of every day.
The key word in this devotion is endurance. Endurance is defined as, “continuation in the same state; duration.” (Webster) To “endure” is to persist or to continue in the same path. In the child of God’s life, to “endure” is to “delight” (or to joy in) and to “meditate” (or contemplate or study) in the “law of the LORD” (or in the Law of Christ, which is the law of Love, for God is love) from the moment of conversion to his physical death.
The questions arise, “How can anyone endure in the love of Christ 24/7? Is it really possible for a child of God to be focused on Christ every waking moment of his life?” The answer is yes without reservation. The answer as to how is very simple. The Apostle Paul said, (Phil. 4:13) “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” So, the answer is being “in Christ” and “Christ being in you.” It cannot be done in the power of the converted sinner; but, only in the power of the in-living Christ.
When a sinner is regenerated and brought to conversion (or to confess by mouth what the heart believeth; Rom. 10:9-10), the Holy Spirit gives the believer the internal witness that he now is the temple of God. (See Rom. 8:14-16.) This means, Christ – Who is The Faith (Gal. 2:20), Who is the Power of God (1 Cor. 1:24) – now has empowered the believer to focus his spirit on Christ 24/7; not in the power of the “old man,” but in the power of the “new man in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 2:20).
How can this be? The answer is again, Christ living and abiding in the believer; working out His purpose in the life of the believer, (Php 2:13) “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
Thank God that He is in charge of the believer’s daily steps in this earthly journey. (See Prov. 19:21; Ps. 37:23; Job 23:13-14.) Also, the Apostle Paul in (2Co 5:17) says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Christ, in the process of regeneration of the sinner, gives the converted sinner a “new creation.” This is synonymous with giving the converted sinner a new nature, or a new will. The new creation in created “after God in righteousness and true holiness” (Eph. 4:24); which means the new creation is no longer a “servant of unrighteousness,” but is now a “servant of Righteousness.” His will is now not to serve the flesh (or sin); but, to serve Christ, and walk in the Spirit, in love, in peace, and in holiness. In this new position and new perception of who he is now in Christ; and that now Christ is his Head, Master, Ruler, Savior, Peace, Provider, Power; and being the temple of God on earth – he is to glorify God in in body, soul and spirit. (See 1 Cor. 6:19-20.)
Not only is the believer to do this, but his desire and determination are to follow Christ completely. If this not the believer’s focus, then the so-called believer may be a false professor, having no possession of Christ living in him.
Many “so-called believers” have a multitude of excuses of why they do not endure in the “law of the LORD.” However, (Ps. 1:1-3) does not list any excuses for the believer to use as to why he does not abide in Christ 24/7. Yes, the true child of God does sin in the flesh (Rom. 7:15-24); but not in the Spirit (1 Jn. 3:9). That is the true believer never will deny that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh; and he cannot not love the brethren. (Read 1 Jn. 3 and 1 Jn. 4.) When a person is truly regenerated and converted to Jesus Christ, he is changed internally, never to be the same any longer. Now, he has been raised from his spiritually dead condition in trespasses and sin, and has been made alive in Christ (Eph. 2:1; Rom. 6:1-23). The “old man” has been crucified (that is, he no longer in control of his spirit); and the “new man,” or “new creation,” has been installed and is now ruling in the power of the in-living Christ. His will is to surrender to God as Sovereign, submit to the Will of God, obey the Word of God, and endure in the same.
God did not regenerate and convert His children to fail; no, a thousand times no. God has good for His children; God has a plan for His children to be as He is, to change and to conform His children unto His image. Therefore, He lives in His children and has given them the power to follow the Lamb of God wherever He leads and goes.
Yes, the true believer “delights” and meditates” day and night in the “in the law of the LORD.”
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