Like A Tree...Delighting in God's Word

This summer I’m trying something new, and it’s been a lot of fun so far! I’ve been creating a podcast series to share with my church for the months of June and July. Each Monday I’ll be hopping on here to share a written version of the podcast as well.

Here’s a link to the Podcast. Like A Tree… Planted with Deep Roots.

First, let’s read the following scripture together:

“How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path of sinners or join a group of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. ”

— Psalm 1:1-2

We have a choice each day, don’t we? Just what will our focus be on today? Where will most of our time be spent? I know for me, social media will always have it’s pull. Spare moments are often spent scrolling, seeing what my online friends have been up to. But what is the priority of God in all of this? What role does scripture play? 

I don’t pretend to have this all figured out. I do make a habit of getting up each morning, pouring a cup of coffee, and reading scripture to start my day. But then my busy day moves on, and I hardly take a breath until 8:00 PM, when the kids are put to bed. What happens between 8:00 and 8:00? How could I be meditating on scripture, in the midst of a busy life? I wonder if you can relate? I want prayer and scripture to take a larger role in my life, but life really does get in the way. I’m sure each of us easily fills up our day with jobs and responsibilities. But I also know we need to be prepared. Verse 1 tells us that “happy is the man.” or I’ve read other versions that say “blessed” is the man, who doesn’t follow the advice of sinners or join a group of mockers. 

If I read scripture first thing, but then move on with my busy day and never consider the ways of the LORD again, how will I combat criticism? How will I confront personal and spiritual attacks? How will I face the every day challenges, big and small, that come at me between the hours of 8 and 8? Because, let’s be honest, the easiest part of my day are those early morning hours, with coffee and scripture, before my family wakes up! Then the real challenges begin. 

It’s not enough to just read scripture, the words have to actually sink into my life, I can look at the words with my eyes, but I have to start actually living them to make a difference! 

Praying throughout the day, scripture cards that I can quickly see, placed around the house, and, one of my favorites, Christian music blasting on the radio, can really help to redirect my thoughts! I’ve also become more careful about the kind of content I consume online. Who am I following? What kinds of things do I watch and listen to? Do they encourage me to live out scripture? Do they remind me of what I believe? Or do these things encourage negative attitudes and outlooks? Remember, the scripture says “happy is the man,” and I want happiness to be an intrinsic part of my life. What about you? How do you meditate on scripture, day and night? 

Let’s decide, this week, to make scripture a central part of our lives, not a passing glance at the beginning or end of the day. 

Let it be a delight to you, and to me!

 For more encouragement, be sure to follow me over on Instagram as well! @megchaneywrites