Daily Devotion for February 03, 2025

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Psalm 1:1-2.

Psalm 1 has always had a special meaning for me, and I encourage you to read on, reading this short psalm in its entirety.  I grew up in a different place and definitely in a different time. In my second grade year in a small two-room rural public school, our teacher required us to memorize Bible verses and repeat them for her the next day. As we progressed, she began to assign longer passages, and we all memorized Psalm 1, using the King James Version. Mrs. Hodges explained the meaning of this passage to us, and it has stuck with me.

The psalmist writes to encourage us to choose well and to root our lives in God. A person who does this  is like a tree that is planted by a stream, which ensures that its roots are well-watered. Its leaves will remain green, and it will bear fruit in season. Rooted in God, we will have life even in the most difficult of times, and our ministries will bring good results. Those who root their lives in other things are “like the chaff, which the wind driveth away,” (KJV). Many things compete for our time, attention, and our priorities; but living our lives according to God’s teachings is both wise and eternal.    

Personal Worship Option:

Please pray with me: Almighty God, help me to be like the tree in Psalm 1, sinking my roots deep into my beliefs and faith in you and strengthen me to follow your teachings. Empower me to turn away from things that beckon me away from you. In the name of Christ, Amen!