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Psalm 1

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"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 1:3

Psalm 1 stands as the introduction to the Psalms as a whole and describes "The blessed man" - the one who delights in God and is freed from the dark entangling lies of sin. The metaphor at the heart of this Psalm - that of a tree with deep roots, rich nourishment, and a fruitful life - describes human life as it was meant to be. It also describes Jesus, the only man who was fully human as God intended us to be. It also describes who we are in Jesus - who God is changing us into.

The word that grabbed me this morning was "prospers." How different prospering is from success. We can succeed and not prosper. Our pop and sports culture - filled with stories of successful failures - give more than ample evidence that it is possible to both succeed and fail to flourish. 

We can win and still lose.

We can lose and still flourish.

To flourish is to come to life. To be filled with joy. To be vibrantly aware of and delighted in God's presence in spite of current circumstances. To have an unshakable strength.

That kind of strength doesn't come from finally succeeding or gaining control. It comes from being a branch connected to an eternal root of strength, life, and vitality. It comes from loving and being loved by Jesus, God with us.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for Jesus, the branch of Jesse who died on the tree of shame so that I could be a branch connected to the vine. Thank you for loving me even though I am not he man of Psalm 1 - an man who quickly and naturally delights in your law. Thank you that Jesus is and that in him I am being changed. Thank you that in him I can flourish. Clear my vision today to see what really matters.
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