(Pray for Dr. Anna while she’s away on respite, and join her in reflection this week on the following Psalm.)
“Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path that sinners tread or sit in the seat of scoffers,
but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.
The wicked are not so but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
Therefore, the wicked will not stand in the judgment nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous, for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” -- Psalm 1
Looking back now, I’m curious about the choice of this Psalm for memorization in eighth grade confirmation. Our beloved minister, who shaped and formed as much theology as this 14-year-old could muster, apparently felt the message of this one a worthy lesson. In light of the challenges of our present culture, his judgment may have been prophetic.
We choose how we will live, who we will trust, and what we will do with our one precious life. In the book of Joshua, we hear a similar call to choose. “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve God in sincerity and in faithfulness…choose this day whom you will serve…, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
If the faith of our forebears is to be trusted, we can live however we choose, but we can’t have it both ways. Choose you this day….
God’s grace, mercy and peace be with you,
Rev. Dr. Anna V. Copeland
Senior Minister, The Community Church of Vero Beach, Florida
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