Temptation

There is a lot that falls under this topic and I've previously touched on one particularly critical element : the human heart. (Read here)

We can be tempted in many different ways because our human nature is sinful and the devil certainly doesn't want us doing the right thing. God commands us:

"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world." - 1 Peter 5:8-9

Resisting the temptation to sin is worth every effort. After all, sin hurts. (Read here)

Plus we were never expected to fight against temptation on our own:

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." - Hebrews 4:15-16

Thank you Jesus for your grace.

Amen.

Like a Tree

Consider Psalm 1 for a moment or two...or tree... :).

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, 
nor stands in the way of sinners,
not sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the LORD, 
and on his law he meditates day and night.

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.
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 knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish."

When I stop to really look at the words in this Psalm I find many amazing truths and promises that I desire to have rooted deeply in my heart.

The very first word is "blessed." By dictionary definition this word means, "divinely or supremely favoured; fortunate." Now who doesn't want to be blessed? I know I do! If we read on though, we find that the blessing is conditional. This means that the blessing is obtained because of something that the man does, and what he does is crucial. Don't miss this: rather than taking the advice of the world around him (which would tell him to be selfish, greedy, and prideful), he goes to the LORD for wisdom and guidance, takes His Word seriously, and is blessed as a result!

You have to use your imagination for this next part because this man is likened to the perfect tree. It's hefty in girth, reaches high toward the sky, and anchored sturdy on the bank of a stream with its roots dipped into the water. The branches are covered in deep green leaves and not one has a dry spot. Shiny golden fruit is evenly dispersed among the leaves and you find that it drips with a rich sweet nectar as you bite into the crisp outer layer...

Then you notice the wind blowing a tumbleweed nearby. With each bounce on the ground little bits of it break off. This dead and useless piece of foliage is as a wicked man.

What a stark contrast between the two men and the plants described! Note that the first man is said to be successful in everything and that the wicked are the opposite.

In the last bit the comparison continues in favour of the blessed man who is referred to as "righteous," which means, essentially, that he does what is right and that the wicked man's actions will end in death.

There was a lot said here but I know that I want to be blessed and that I need the LORD for that :). Praise Him for giving us His Word so that we may read it and learn to be righteous and richly blessed ultimately for His glory!