Psalms 1-3 - The Path To Real Joy!

Psalms 1-3

The book of Psalms was mostly written by King David, the most popular and wildly successful (and most Godly) leader Israel ever enjoyed.  The prophet Samuel described King David in 1 Samuel 13:14 as "a man after his (God's) own heart."  As you read the book of Psalms, you'll see in vivid detail the transparency of this man.  Through songs in this book, he shares what he feels in his heart, both the high and the lows of his emotions.  There is no way you can read this book without realizing the David touches on so many common fears, complaints, frustrations, disappointments, hurts, and pains of life.  As he touches on these commonalities that all of us face, he also comes to the conclusion in nearly every one of these comments that only through God can he find peace, rest, and ultimately victory!

In Psalm 1, King David discusses "how to find real joy in life!"  As he begins his narrative, he says first of all,
1. Be careful who you hang with!  Notice verse1.  He says joy can be a by-product of simply avoiding the wrong crowd and, in return, getting from these people the wrong advice or doing the wrong thing or even saying the wrong thing.  Let's be real...our friends influence us!  They do. How many times have you regretted doing the wrong thing or saying the wrong thing or even receiving advice that ending up destroying your marriage or making matters worse?
2. David goes on to say that real joy (deep inner joy) comes from doing the right thing...which is doing "everything the Lord wants" and enjoying the opportunity to feast on the incredible principles found in the Bible- God's law.

Since we're such a "what's-in-it-for-me" kind of people, David explains what the blessings are when you start living your life in a way that pleases God and when you spend time in His Word:
1) David uses the analogy of a tree "planted along the riverbank."  In other words, you're in the best possible place you can possibly be in.  You'll flourish forever!  He goes on to say that the results are "bearing fruit each season without fail."  In other words, God will accomplish exactly what He wants to accomplish through your life "without fail."  You will be a perfect instrument through which He can work through to touch this world and the "fruit" of your life's influence will be told in heaven one day!
2) He also says that "their leaves never wither and in all they do is prosper."  Like all trees, especially here in America, during the winter their leaves wither and drop as the harsher weather comes. Here, King David, says that living a live that pleases God allows you to "hang in there" when harsher times come.  That's because you are like a tree planted by the river.  God is your river.  He is your source of life.  He keeps you nourished even during the most difficult times in life!  Praise the Lord!
3) Another great benefit of living a life that pleases God is (verse 6) having his watchful eyes on you and the path you travel.  He's there with you!  You may feel alone at times, but you're NOT alone!

Psalms 2 declares the greatness of God and futility of man's power!  While nations and kings rage on for more power and lands...God laughs at their futility.   God is in control of everything!  Man can do nothing to impress God.

As you go through the newspaper and see what's going on in the world, take a black felt pen and write over the top of the article "God is in control."

In Psalms 3, we begin to see David becoming transparent about conditions going on in his life...he's got "enemies."  In fact, he's fairly desperate about this issue to some extent even telling God that many of his friends don't even believe God can save him.  How would you like to hear that from a friend - "I don't even think God can save you from this problem!" ?  Listen to the resolve that he has in verse 6, "I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side."  That's pretty amazing!  That's like us saying, "I don't care if the FBI, CIA, IRS, SEC, and any other agency (including the Mafia) is against me...I'm NOT AFRAID!"  That's faith in God!