Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
Psalm 1 comes up frequently in the reading calendar. Because of the content of our Old Testament and Gospel passages this week, I’d like to focus on the picture of a righeous man like a tree. Verse 3 describes him planted by water, yielding fruit, and not withering. This is a stable man. He has what he needs, and more. He is safe and secure. And he brings comfort and supply to others. This can all be demonstrated from the text.
The tree does not have its own supply of water. It finds it outside of itself. In the same way, the righteous man feeds on God’s Word.
The tree does not produce fruit for itself. It needs no fruit. But as it produces fruit, it can plant more trees and it can feed others. The righteous man’s righteousness produces fruit, such as love, kindness, and goodness. The fruit of the Spirit is good for others.
A tree does use its leaves. But others do also - for shade, comfort, rest, even economic gain as the leaves are used to improve soil. The righeous man gives people rest and joy as they find protection and peace in his shade. It is a great blessing to be a righteous man and to know others!
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