Sometimes compromise can be a good thing, and then there are times when compromise is not good at all. It is good to make a compromise if there is a disagreement as to what movie to watch. We’ll watch your movie tonight and next time we’ll watch my movie choice. If you want to go to the beach for vacation, and I want to visit some historical sites, we can compromise by trying to find a location where both are nearby. However, when it comes to our spiritual walk with the Lord, we should never compromise. Our psalm selection for this week speaks of a person and the choices that they must make to live a godly life before the Lord, and the end results of the godly and the ungodly.
The author of Psalm 1 is not known. It is one of 48 “orphan” psalms, psalms that we do not know the author of. It is a short psalm of only six verses. The first three describe the godly man, one who is living his life for the Lord, and who does not compromise with evil. The last three verses then describe the ungodly man, and what his end will be like.
As we begin verse 1, we see that we have a decision to make as to who our companions are going to be. This is very important if one is going to live righteously, and not compromise their godly values and standards. This person chooses not to walk or be a companion with the ungodly, those who do wickedly, are immoral, and are hostile to God and mock His Word. At first it might seem like an innocent, casual walk with someone whose ways are sinful, and who opposes God. You’re just walking along and talking. You think that soon you’ll part ways, you’ll go your way and he will go his. But then the talk, the conversation, the interest deepens, and you stand talking and associating with him further. And then soon you are sitting down in full fellowship with the ungodly, scornful, sinner.
God warns us against keeping the wrong type of friends. Of course we need to witness to sinners, and tell them about the Lord. However, we are not to walk in step with the wicked, going in their direction or their way, and not God’s way. We might think that we can compromise just a bit, but it never works out well. When one is close companions and good friends with ungodly people, it is much easier for them to pull you down to their level than for you to pull them up to your level.
The godly person delights in the law of the Lord (vs. 2). They desire to read the Bible, pray, and have fellowship with God. They do not scorn or mock Him as the ungodly do. Would you want to keep company with someone who hated, mocked, and spoke evil about someone you love dearly, such as your spouse or a dear, close friend? Most likely not, so why would we want to be a companion or friend to someone who did so to God?
God declares that the godly person who walks in His ways is blessed. He has promised to abundantly bless the one who has uncompromising purity of a righteous walk with Him, free from the slightest flirtation with evil. This isn’t only just material blessings, but would include the joy that comes from a consistent relationship with God. The psalmist describes such a godly person as being like a tree that grows beside a river (vs. 3). Just as a tree which has a good, strong, and continual water source is fruitful, so will a person be who lives a godly life and follows God’s Word.
The psalmist then concludes the psalm with a contrast of the life of the ungodly, wicked person (vs. 4-6). Instead of being like a lush, green, and fruitful tree as God describes the godly, the ungodly are described as chaff, which are the husks of grain that are separated from the edible part. In the winnowing process, they are tossed into the wind to be blown away. God will judge them, and they will not be standing with the righteous. Instead, Scripture says that they will perish.
Is it worth it to compromise with evil by seeking the counsel and fellowship with ungodly people? The true believer would not think so. They consciously resist compromise, and are wary of anything that might erode commitment to a godly life. As the psalmist urges, we need to disengage from spiritually destructive relationships and unhealthy habits, and instead delight in God’s instructions.
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