TREES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

PART ONE

“Blessed* is the man
that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor standeth in the way of sinners,
nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful…
And he shall be like a tree
planted by the rivers of water,
that bringeth forth his fruit in his season;
his leaf also shall not wither;
and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper”
PSALM 1:1,3

The Hebrew word written here as “counsel” is better translated advice, way, strategies or schemes. This psalm describes and prescribes to us the way in which we ought to walk in order to become as a “tree planted by the waters”. Within God’s hidden wisdom there is a path and a way for each of us to walk that will lead us to HIS desired END. Today we see much of the “wisdom” of this world interjected into the things of God. We cannot operate with the strategies and ways of the world and expect to lay hold of the wonder of HIS Life and purposes. Such is the folly of religion.

This Psalm has a blessing pronounced upon those who shun the wisdom and the “prudent counsels of this world” to walk in HIS ways. This blessing contains within it the ability to be fruitful and established in HIM and HIS righteousness. While men seek prominence, recognition and authority derived from a position rather than a relationship with God, there is evidence of a withered and empty inheritance.

We have rich examples in the word. Consider how Daniel and his friends refused the enticements of the king and chose to eat the simple fare of God’s provisions. Their faces shone with the health and vitality of walking in God’s counsel rather than the “worldly wisdom” of their day.

Then said Daniel to Melzar,
whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over
Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
Prove thy servants,
I beseech thee, ten days;
and let them give us pulse to eat,
and water to drink.
Then let our countenances
be looked upon before thee,
and the countenance of the children
that eat of the portion of the king’s meat:
and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
So he consented to them in this matter,
and proved them ten days.
And at the end of ten days
their countenances appeared
fairer and fatter in flesh
than all the children which did eat
the portion of the king’s meat
DANIEL 1:11-15

The way and wisdom of God which seems foolish to the natural man is the way of LIFE and BLESSING. It is a way that frees us from the wisdom of this world, introduces us to the paths of humility and grace, and causes us to drink from the streams of mercy and righteousness. Such a path is hidden from the wise and prudent, from those who seek self-promotion, pride and control; for it is the WAY of the Son which leads to LIFE and the true liberty of the Spirit of God.

Truly, blessed are they who walk not in the ways and the “wisdom” of this world for they shall…

“…be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,
that bringeth forth his fruit in his season;
his leaf also shall not wither;
and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper”
PSALM 1:3

Ω

“The way of every man
is the declaration of
the end of everyman”

Ψ

“The kind of Christianity
that relies upon the influence
of its own human and earthly power
makes God sick,
for the Church of Jesus Christ
is a heavenly institution”
A.W. Tozer

* NOTE: The Hebrew Word translated “Blessed” here is plural denoting the manifold blessings of God are showered upon those who DO NOT walk in the way and wisdom of the ungodly, who DO NOT stand in the way (habits, manner of life) of sinners and who DO NOT sit (to dwell, abide or be set) in the seat of the scorner (boastful). Notice the three-fold progression of the posture of those who forfeit the Blessings of God (walking, standing and sitting)

The Hebrew Word translated “walketh” means to move and conduct ourselves…

The Hebrew Word translated “counsel” means advice, strategies and ways.

Brian Troxel