Psalm 1: Planted by the Stream

Where do you get your sustenance for everyday life? That's the question that came to my mind as I studied Psalm 1 last week. And that question is still kind of running around in my head.

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.
Psalm 1:1-3 (ESV)

This passage promises those who delight in the Lord will be like a tree planted by streams of water. It sounds nice and poetic, but what does it mean? I can only offer you my interpretation.

A river along the cycle path to Longtown, England

A river is going to be a source of life. Usually, where there is a river, the trees, grass and all the foliage will be lush. The river is the source of life because it provides what the living things need... water, which brings nutrients the plants need to live. Because of the river, whatever is planted around it will bear much fruit. The river provides sustenance.

How does that apply to us, though? Personally, I can see that I have the potential to be that tree abiding by the river (God). If I'm delighting in Him and His word, then I'll bear much fruit. I'll be productive if I'm using what God has given me.

But this only happens if I'm running to God. Otherwise life could become rather... desert-like. (This is not to say that there are other ways God can bring you through the desert. That is another topic entirely!)

I'm reminded of the one word I chose to strive to live by this year: intentional. Here, it's two-fold. I have to be intentional in running to the Lord for all that sustains me. At the same time, I'm not going to succeed at being intentional unless I'm constantly running to the Father for sustenance every day.

How are you intentionally living this year? How are you going to find sustenance in God?