A Now-I-Get-It Moment

…the Lord watches over the path of the godly….

Psalm 1:6 NLT

When God gives Moses the Ten Commandments for the Israelites, He sets them apart from others by providing a standard to discern right from wrong. The Israelites now possess laws to guide their behavior.

Jesus, then, expands those commandments to include the intent behind them rather than just the “letter of the law.” I realized that distinction of intent while reading Psalm 1.

“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 NLT).

I interpret this wise song as a warning against hanging around with “rowdy rabble,” the “wrong crowd,” the same advice I give my children. Those who do not “stand around with sinners” will experience joy. I now realize that same wise counsel could just as accurately apply to living with a mocker; one who misled me with his distorted and entitled thinking for so many years.

This ah-ha moment birthed numerous painful questions. Why did I tolerate these God-dishonoring behaviors? Was I honoring the relationship above honoring God? Why did I compromise my values and silence my opinions?

Turning over the housekeeping of my mind to God’s Holy Spirit to guide the process of decoding my experiences and clarifying truth requires courage. It also requires a promise found in verse 6 of that same Psalm—trusting the Lord to “watch over my path” as I venture forth into this unexplored terrain!

Father, thank You for continually revealing areas that need Your tender touch. Forgive me for accommodating situations in the name of submission that did not honor You. Thank You for broadening my understanding of Your heart for my life to know all the unexplored joys You have for me. In the name of the One who came to fulfill Your law, Jesus, I pray, amen.

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