Expedition

Lectio Divina is a practice of reading the Scriptures with the heart of Jesus ready to hear the voice of your Father in the text. As you are reading a passage of Scripture: 

1. Breathe deep to settle your mind and heart 
2. Read the passage slowly
3. Listen for God’s voice as you read it again
4. Contemplate God’s nudges as you read it again
5. Pray the passage back to God
6. Thank God for the message God gave you

Practice these steps by reading Psalm 1

Blessed is the man

    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,

nor stands in the way of sinners,

    nor 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.

Psalm 1

By Yvonne Biel

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor 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. Psalm 1

Psalms 1 and 2 have been described as two pillars at the entrance of the Psalms, and even all of scripture. Their messages create an invitation from God for the journey with very important reminders for life. Psalm 1 is very simple but life encompassing . Even though man’s two paths are sharply contrasted, the main message is about God’s word. God’s word distinguishes the character and conduct of the righteous. It promises to change the lives of those who fully embrace it and is an absolute necessity in our lives.

These two divergent groups in Psalm 1 are instructive and exemplary. The blessing of the righteous and the future of the wicked are not only a theme in this introductory Psalm but all of the Bible. Psalms are Hebrew wisdom literature and poetry that contrast ideas with parallelism instead of rhyming words. The righteous are those who do not walk, stand or sit (three parallel actions) in the path of the unrighteous. The unrighteous are those who leave the path, the wayward or wicked; miss the mark, the rebellious or sinner; or follow the crowd, scoffers (three parallel persons). The three actions are also progressive (walking, standing, sitting) and more permanent, and so are the places of principle (the counsel, the way, the seat). The movement of these ideas gives notion to the journey of life.

The choice to walk with God, the companionship we choose to walk it with are critical decisions. Seasonal hardship may come and go. The journey is about a way, a path, choices, more than a destination. We have to decide to immerse ourselves in God’s word, keep walking in God’s way with God’s people despite circumstances beyond our control. Take a walk and let God speak to you about your journey and where you are at with him and his word. Pray the Lord’s Prayer with your eyes open.

By Donna Burns

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. Psalm 1:3-4

One of my favorite things about living in Colorado is experiencing the seasons, and sometimes in a single day! My favorites are Fall, Winter and Spring. Fall brings the sometimes dramatic end of a year, Winter shows me when growth seems dormant, but Spring jumps at me, showing how Winter is a mask for unseen growth. If ever there was a reminder of how life as a human can be, the seasons of this glorious planet are the best I can imagine.

While the Psalms come from many years ago, in a faraway region of the world, the metaphor of the tree is still relevant. The trees in Colorado tap into the ground and draw water and nourishment from the soil, just like those in Israel. The results include a strong tree, many leaves, and fruit of one variety or another. Our lives echo this entire example, both in the seasons experienced by woodlands and the fruit trees produce. Throughout our lives, seasons come and go, rarely repeating in the same manner from one to the next. And there are those that are favorites, and those that aren’t so much a favorite at all.

My current season sometimes seems out of control. Of course, when I truly contemplate my seasons in life, I’m never really in control. I suppose now it just feels especially so. I’m sure if you were to examine your life, the seasons you’ve experienced, you’d feel the same way.

What about the present season? Is it one you’ll remember with joy and happiness, or one you’d just as soon forget? Like I mentioned, this season in life for me is moving apace, but I’m really enjoying it. Yes, I’m busy, but the things keeping me busy are enjoyable things. Things like a community at work, home, and church, and living deeper with those whom are my family and friends. It’s truly remarkable. Do you feel the same? If you’re outside today, and find a leaf on the ground, why not pick it up, sit down, and reflect on your life season and consider all the good it can produce. If you’re struggling, prayerfully read the following passage, Psalm 121, and know that God is with you, and knows all about your seasons (including the one you’re in), and loves you dearly.

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.
Psalm 121 (ESV)

By Rich Obrecht

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1-2 NIV

Godly wisdom. What is it? How do we get it? Job posed these questions to his friends and gave answers in Job chapter 28. “Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell?…God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells,…And he said to man, ‘The fear of the Lord – that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding,’” Job 28:20,23,28. “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” is a phrase commonly used in the Psalms, Proverbs, and Genesis. A note in my NIV study Bible defines it this way, “fear in this phrase has the sense of reverential trust in God that includes commitment to his revealed will (word).”

How then, in our everyday lives do we become wise in Godly wisdom and understanding? We must look to God himself, and to his word, his revealed will. In the past year I have gained wisdom, understanding and found power in my prayers by praying scripture. Psalm 119 gives us a good model for gaining wisdom. “Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees, then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared,” Psalm 119:33-38.

We have busy lives, many commitments and demands on our time. But, if we desire wisdom, we need to daily set aside time for reading the Bible, and praying for understanding. Perhaps you could pray phrases of this psalm while washing dishes, while driving to and from work, while taking a child on a walk, while folding clothes, while eating lunch at work, or when you first wake up or right before you go to sleep. Most of us cannot devote hours to this daily, but all of us can spend some amount of time daily in reading God’s word and in praying for understanding. Ask God to teach you, to direct you, to preserve you, and to turn your heart to God and his word, and away from sin. This is how we gain Godly wisdom, through prayer and reading God’s word daily.

By Grace Hunter

Oh, the joys of those who do not

    follow the advice of the wicked,

    or stand around with sinners,

    or join in with mockers. Psalm 1:1

In life, we have a choice in whom to companion. Though we often think of companionship as solely friendship, in this case it can refer to anyone who is influencing and shaping you. Who you allow to pour into your life will shape and influence you, one way or the other. This isn’t necessarily about only associating with the “right” people or else. But it is about being discerning in how you are being shaped and formed by the people who influence you.

Maybe you are in a place in life where you feel lonely, like you have no consistent, faithful companions to walk with you. Reread verse 6. Regardless of where your earthly relationships stand, God is your companion. God is walking with you now and he will be there in the end watching over the way of the righteous.

Who are you companioning on this spiritual journey? Who do you allow to pour into your life, whether in person or through the media you consume? Ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and discernment as you evaluate the results of this companionship. Now ask yourself how you let Jesus be your companion on this journey. Are you conscious of his presence with you each day? Are there changes you may need to make in your daily routine to seek or acknowledge his companionship in your life? Ask the Lord to make you aware of the way he accompanies you in your day to day life.

By Jessica Rust