Or stand in the way that sinners take
Or sit in the company of mockers,
But whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
And who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither —
Whatever they do, prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3, NIV)
Each person desires to live a prosperous life. The question is: What is the path to prosperity?
The Psalmist gives us an inkling into the steps that ensure fruitfulness and prosperity.The first step to prosperity is to avoid the company of the wicked and shun paths that lead to sin. The importance of this is that we will not be drawn into wicked and sinful acts that might potentially cause our lives to be derailed. All through Scripture, we are reminded that the end of the wicked is nothing but disaster. It never pays to keep company with the wicked. The path of the wicked never leads to prosperity. It brings disaster in the long run.The second step to fruitfulness and prosperity in life is to meditate on the Word of God continually. The constant nourishment from God’s word will help us make wise decisions that yield good fruit and lead to prosperity. The picture is equivalent to a tree planted by streams of water. The constant nourishment the tree receives from the water ensures that it is always fruitful and prosperous because it is never devoid of the necessary nutrients it needs to grow.
That tree is prosperous because it bears fruit to satisfy the hungry.
That is the case with human lives as well. Success and prosperity come not just through hard work, but even more importantly, through obedience to God’s word. A clear attestation of this is found in the words of God to Joshua, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:8, NIV). The word of God brings prosperity because it gives us the guidance we need to make choices that bring fruit, beyond material wealth, that affects the lives of others positively. That is true prosperity.
Avoiding the company of the wicked and obeying and meditating on God’s word is the path to the blessed and prosperous life!
Prayer: Father, please help me to shun every form of wickedness and sin, no matter how alluring they might seem. Help me to live with your word as the anchor of my life so that I can experience true prosperity. Amen.
