Life's Sustaining Source

"They are like trees

planted by streams of water, 

which yield their fruit in its season,

and their leaves do not wither." 

Psalm 1:3

My 30 years as a pastor were fun, fulfilling and fruitful. But sometimes there were hard years and I wanted to quit because of the pain and frustration. I persevered though because I knew that was God’s way, God’s call, God’s path for my life. I grew, changed, and matured. I went deeper in my faith than I ever could have if everything was ease and comfort. As I matured I realized the psalms are expressions of the heart.

Psalm 1 is an example. It has two images. 

The first is a road. 

The road has two ways characterized by who walks on it. On one path walk the wicked, sinners, and scoffers. Down the other walk the righteous meditating on God's word. This other road belongs to God who watches over it.

The other is a tree. 

The tree is characterized by deep roots. The righteous, who depend on God, are like a tree, with deep roots next to a stream. Therefore, the tree bears fruit and its leaves don't wither. Like this tree, which drinks deeply from streams of water, the righteous drink daily from God’s Word. They are resilient, but God watches over the paths they walk.

Psalm 1 makes a promise: Those who drink deeply from the psalms will find a sustainable source of spiritual drink. A source sustaining us throughout life and a source will never run dry.

 Some pastors and I went on an annual retreat to Weston Priory. Singing Psalm 91 in the evening service gave me a sense of inner peace during hard times. 

"Because you have made the Lord your refuge,

the Most High your dwelling place,

no evil shall befall you,

no scourge come near your tent."

Ps.91:9-10

I am certain that the Lord will sustain you as you drink deeply from this source.