The Vine: June 17

“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing”

— John 15:4-5

This is a weekly reflection on the previous week’s sermon text. Each week there will be a devotional related to the scripture for the week, along with questions for reflection/discussion, as well as prayer. Feel free to make this a part of your individual spiritual growth throughout the week or utilize in small group settings (growth groups, Sunday school, etc.)

“1 Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.
4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.”

— Psalm 1

The book of Psalms is a collection of Hebrew poems that has served for centuries as a prayer book. As we read through the 150 psalms, we find that it encapsulates most of which we experience as human beings and gives voice to the inmost part of our being. Psalm 1 begins with the word “blessed”. There are two different Hebrew words for “blessed”. One of those words describes one who is blessed as a person who has experienced God’s favor. The other word describes being blessed as what people say about the person who has experienced the blessing. For example, people might say, “He or she is experiencing the good life.”

The Psalm begins by stating that one who is blessed or has experienced the “good life” does not walk in step with the wicked, or stand in the way that sinners take, or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law or instruction of the Lord. The law or instruction of the Lord refers to the Torah, and the psalmist makes the connection between meditating on scripture and how that influences how we live and ultimately experience blessing in our lives. This kind of person, the psalmist writes, is, “Like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.”

There are many “streams of water” which God gives us to help nurture us in our spiritual growth – scripture, prayer, the gift of the Holy Spirit, holy communion, the Church, service, etc. The definition of a “good life” is not necessarily one that is trouble free or highly successful regarding career, money, status, etc., but one that is planted by streams of water becoming a tree of life for others. The “good life”, as Jesus has taught us, is to, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind…and your neighbor as yourself.” That is something worth delighting in and meditating on today.

Questions for Reflection:

How do you understand “delighting in the law of the Lord” and meditating on it day and night? What influence has scripture had on your life and spiritual growth? In what ways has it challenged you and pushed you out of your comfort zone?

During busy days at home and work, how can we incorporate meditation on scripture in our daily lives?

What role does our church community play in helping each other stay grounded in righteousness?

What are the characteristics of a tree planted by streams of water and how can we compare that to a righteous person shaped by God’s grace?

PRAYER:

Loving God, we thank you for the streams of water you give us each day where we are planted and nourished to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. Help us to choose the path of love and righteousness and to remember that your grace and forgiveness apply to all, including ourselves. Forgive us when we have followed a path contrary to the way of Christ. Thank you for this day and the beginning of a new week! Amen.

Printer Version