“Choices and Consequences”

“Choices and Consequences”

Text: Psalm 1

Introduction:

How many of you recognize that your life is full of choices and each of those choices has consequences? Sometimes we get into situations and wonder how we got there. If we just take time to look at some choices we have made, we discover that our choices led to our being where we are.

Today we’re going to look at the only two choices in life that will guarantee either a blessing or a curse. Turn with me to Psalm 1. This Psalm was written by the “Sons of Korah” who were the gatekeepers and worship leaders of the temple. Korah was a Levite who served in the tabernacle. He was one of the Kohathites mentioned in Numbers 4:1–4“The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron: “Among the Levites, take a census of the Kohathites by their clans and their ancestral families, men from thirty years old to fifty years old—everyone who is qualified to do work at the tent of meeting. “The service of the Kohathites at the tent of meeting concerns the most holy objects.”

Numbers 4:15 ““Aaron and his sons are to finish covering the holy objects and all their equipment whenever the camp is to move on. The Kohathites will come and carry them, but they are not to touch the holy objects or they will die. These are the transportation duties of the Kohathites regarding the tent of meeting.”

They had the responsibility of transporting the “holy objects” of the Tabernacle as the Israelites traveled through the desert. In Nu 16 we find that Korah opposed Moses and led a rebellion which resulted in God opening the earth and swallowing up Korah and his family. Three of his sons evidently separated themselves from their father’s sin and became the Psalmists who wrote 11 of the Psalms.

Examination:

1. The “do-nots” of being blessed.

Psalm 1:1 “How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers!”

The word “Blessed” in scripture means “to be enlarged” or “to be made fat” which to them indicated the favor of God. In this opening verse, the Psalmist lists three things that a person who wants to be blessed should avoid.

Don’t walk (live) in the advice of the wicked. Whenever you find the word “walk” in scripture it usually refers to lifestyle. (1 John 2:6) When you choose to live your life according to your horoscope or according to the opinions of a movie or rock music or athletic star or news anchor or politician who does not know Christ, you are “walking in the advice of the wicked.”

Don’t stand in the pathway with sinners. Be careful who you hang out with. Those that you choose to spend a lot of time with in life, on TV, or reading, will shape your character. If you are constantly seen in their presence or quoting them in you conversations, people will soon equate you with them.

Don’t sit down in the company of mockers. You may “sit down” with them in front of your TV, or in your easy chair as you read their books and articles. Or you may actually spend time in their presence. McArthur notes that this is the picture of sitting in a pub drinking with someone. In any case the more you hang out with them, the more like them you will become.

Commentators disagree as to whether these three “don’ts” are simultaneous or progressive. The CSB Study Bible says that they are parallel while John McArthur in his study Bible says that they are a progression from lesser to greater sins. Either way, the scripture says “Don’t”.

2. The “Do’s” of being blessed

Psalm 1:2–3 “Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”

So what should we “do” if we want to be blessed? There are four words in vv 2-3 that are “do’s” for us.

Do…delight in the Lord’s instruction. Get your enjoyment from scripture. Read for the joy of it not because you think you are supposed to do it. Recognize that an appetite for scripture must be cultivated.

Do…meditate on it (the Lord’s instruction) day and night. The word meditate means to “chew on” as a cow chews her cud. A friend of mine said, “Let scripture become your mental chewing gum.” We learn from what God said to Joshua 1:8 “This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.” Meditation leads to observation (obedience). And Observation leads to fruitfulness.

Do…bear fruit. Notice that the scripture says “bears its fruit”. Your fruit might be different from mine just as an apple tree does not bear oranges. But…fruit bearing is essential to happiness or blessedness in the Christian life. In John 15:8 “My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.” A fruit-bearer is a disciple-maker. It is the fulfillment of the Great Commission. The fruit of a disciple is another disciple who will produce other disciples.

Do…whatever. When you delight in God’s Word and meditate on it and produce fruit for the kingdom…God will make you successful in “whatever” you do. Think back to what God told Joshua. “For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.”

3. The Result of Your Choice

Psalm 1:4–6 “The wicked are not like this; instead, they are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand up in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.”

In giving us the result of our choice, the Psalmist uses comparison. This is done often in scripture. You’ll find it a lot in Proverbs. First the Psalmists tells us the outcome for the wicked.

1. They are blown away like chaff.

2. They will not stand up in the judgment. Instead they will cower and fall down in fear because the consequences of their choices are clear.

3. They will come to ruin.

But, the righteous; those who delight in God’s Word; meditate on it; produce fruit will have God watching over them throughout their lives (their “way”).

Application: How should you respond to this Psalm?

We have choices. Each of our choices will have consequences. Knowing what the consequences are should make our choices easier. What are you going to do with the truth of this Psalm?