Gregg DeMey 0:07
Welcome to Elmhurst CRC's daily dose of the Word of God. It's Thursday, May 11, and this is Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor at ECRC. This week, we're journeying with Jesus from the tomb of Easter. In today's reading, we're going to linger on Psalm 1, verses 1 through 3.
Gregg DeMey 0:25
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with a wicked, 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.
Gregg DeMey 0:50
We know that from the Gospel of John Chapter 15, that Jesus says that he is the vine, and we are the branches. And it is Jesus' will that we should abide in him, even as he abides in us. But how does that work? That we're in him and he is in us at the same time? Psalm 1 helps us understand how this is possible. Jesus is the living word of God and Psalm 1 tells us that we are blessed when we delight in the word of the Lord and meditate on it day and night. The word becomes our food. "God's word is better than bread," as Jesus once told the devil. Is it better than a delicious omelet, better than sushi better than chocolate mousse (a few of my favorite things)?Yes, yes, it is. We are to take in God's word - even more frequently than our daily meals - and abide in that nourishment. But notice what happens when we eat and imbibe the living Word of God. Psalm 1 tells us that we become like a tree that is planted, rooted by living water, fruitful all year 'round. With God's Word in us, we are grounded in the soil of God's grace and are able to become a strong tree.
Gregg DeMey 2:06
There's an old song by a songwriter named Ken Medema. It's called The Tree Song, and it goes like this. "I have roots growing down to the water. I have leaves growing up to the sunshine. And the fruit that I bear is a sign of the life in me." It goes on (with fun motions), and illustrates exactly this connection between John 15 And Psalm 1. Jesus ties it all together when he says this in John 15: 8: "My Father is honored by this; that you bear much fruit and show that you are my disciples." With God's word and Us, and Us rooted in him, that's how it works.
Gregg DeMey 2:52
Let's pray. God, we thank you for the Psalm today. We receive your word, and eat it up. With the energy that you've given us, show us how we can bear good fruit to honor you on this very day. for Jesus sake. Amen.