Day 30 - 40 Days of JOY

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of JOY
Day  30 | THE JOY OF DOING LIFE GOD’S WAY
THE JOY OF DOING LIFE GOD’S WAY

Psalm 1:1-3
“Oh, the joys of those who do not follow evil men’s advice, who do not hang around with sinners, scoffing at the things of God. But they delight in doing everything God wants them to, and day and night are always meditating on his laws and thinking about ways to follow him more closely. They are like trees along a riverbank bearing luscious fruit each season without fail. Their leaves shall never wither, and all they do shall prosper.”
(LB)

Throughout life, we are in a battle.  It’s a battle between right and wrong.  And God has given us a glorious gift in the ability to CHOOSE.  And we can choose to lean one way or the other. We can choose to go ALL IN, one way or the other.
 
We can follow “evil advice” and hang around with people who will fill our minds with ALL the bad stuff we can do in defiance of God.  Or we can enjoy doing life God’s way and spend time thinking about, reading, and “always meditating on His Word, thinking of ways to follow him more closely.” And the result of that?

Picture a fruit tree planted by a riverbank or lake or anywhere where its water supply is practically endless.  Do you think that tree will have any problem staying alive, healthy, and producing an abundance of fruit?  Of course not!

And if you were a tree and thriving at making fruit, would you be joyful?  Of course!

So, if you want JOY in your life – though it may seem counter-intuitive to you – spend time in God’s Word and meditate on it. Words such as this verse:  “O the joys of those…”
 
Prayer: LORD, I do want my life to be joyous and fruitful.  HELP me to spend more time with YOU and less time with anyone who will drag me down the wrong path.  Amen.