Wisdom-Life Choices
Notes
Transcript
Tonight’s study in Psalms brings us to something that we should all strive to have and that is wisdom. More specifically wisdom in our life choices. We are told in James 1:5
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
This wasn’t a new concept as wisdom can be found in several areas of the bible, including the Old Testament. The two Psalms we are going to be looking at highlight the importance of making wise choices in life, contrasting the paths of the righteous and the wicked. Wisdom leads to flourishing, while foolishness results in downfall.
We all have choices that we make everyday and we need to evaluate these choices and lean on God’s wisdom as we navigate life’s complexities. When we align our decisions with God’s word, we can avoid pitfalls and experience true fulfillment.
Wisdom isn’t just head knowledge. It’s knowing what is right and having the courage to do it. It’s the ability to navigate life’s complexities in a way that reflects God’s will, even when those choices are difficult or countercultural.
Christ embodies the ultimate wisdom of God, fulfilling the righteous path outlined in these Psalms. He exemplifies the life of the righteous, encouraging us to follow Him to find true life and purpose.
Choosing God’s wisdom leads to a fulfilling and eternally significant life, contrasting starkly with the fleeting gains of unrighteousness.
James reminds us that God is generous in giving wisdom to those who ask. But how do we ask? One of the clearest ways is through meditating on His Word, where we find the wisdom to make choices that honor Him. Psalms 1 and 37 give us vivid pictures of what those choices look like in action.
1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Pursue God’s Nourishment
Verses 1-3
Blessings come from meditating on God’s Word. Notice how in verse 3 it says that “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” This is giving us an example of a tree that is constantly getting fed through water. We are called to meditate on God’s word, just like this tree planted by the water. This can give us a stable, fruitful life. It is foundational to living wisely and making choices that align with God’s desires. We should delight in God’s Word as a source of constant nourishment and strength.
Meditating on God’s Word isn’t just about reading it once a day and checking it off the list. It’s about letting it soak deep into our hearts, letting it shape the way we think, speak, and act. Like a tree that draws strength from water, we draw strength from God’s Word. And just like that tree bears fruit in season, the wisdom we gain from God’s Word leads to fruitful lives that are pleasing to Him.
2. Path of Perishing
Verse 4-6
However, we get a glimpse of the opposite side in these verses. The ungodly are compared to the chaff which the wind drives away. The fleeting nature of their prosperity is different than the enduring stability of the righteous. Aligning our lives with God’s wisdom leads to eternal significance, while ignoring His counsel results in downfall. We should examine our life’s direction and make course corrections where necessary.
Psalm 1 shows us the difference between the righteous and the wicked. Psalm 37 takes that a step further, showing us what happens when we choose the path of wisdom—and how we can find peace, even when the world around us seems unjust.
3. Place Your Trust
1 Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.
6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday.
7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; Indeed, you will look carefully for his place, But it shall be no more.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
There is so much tension between good and evil in the world. There is temptation to envy others’ apparent success. However, we should be trusting in the Lord and finding security in Him despite seemingly unfair circumstances. We should commit our way to God, as His justice will prevail. This requires patience and reliance on God’s timing, not immediate gratification.
When the world seems unjust, our natural instinct is to fight back or be envious of the success of the wicked. But the psalmist encourages us to trust in God’s justice, not in our own timing. Trusting God is not passive—it’s a choice to keep doing good, even when we don’t see immediate rewards. It’s choosing patience, knowing that God will bring justice in His time.
4. Protection of the Path
12 The wicked plots against the just, And gnashes at him with his teeth.
13 The Lord laughs at him, For He sees that his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn the sword And have bent their bow, To cast down the poor and needy, To slay those who are of upright conduct.
15 Their sword shall enter their own heart, And their bows shall be broken.
16 A little that a righteous man has Is better than the riches of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, But the Lord upholds the righteous.
18 The Lord knows the days of the upright, And their inheritance shall be forever.
19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time, And in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
20 But the wicked shall perish; And the enemies of the Lord, Like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish. Into smoke they shall vanish away.
21 The wicked borrows and does not repay, But the righteous shows mercy and gives.
22 For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth, But those cursed by Him shall be cut off.
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.
The wicked’s schemes are futile compared teh the Lord’s protection over the righteous. God upholds those who follow His path while the plans of the wicked ultimately fail.Lasting fulfillment comes not from avoiding hardship, but from knowing that God is with us, upholding us, and guiding us through every trial. When we trust in His wisdom, we find peace, security, and a joy that transcends our circumstances.
Even when the wicked seem to prevail for a time, we can rest in the knowledge that God is our protector. The righteous are not immune to hardship, but we are never abandoned. As verse 24 reminds us, 'Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord upholds him with His hand.' That’s the security we have in God’s wisdom—He holds us even when life seems to knock us down.
5. Promise of Provision
25 I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lends; And his descendants are blessed.
27 Depart from evil, and do good; And dwell forevermore.
28 For the Lord loves justice, And does not forsake His saints; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land, And dwell in it forever.
30 The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, And his tongue talks of justice.
31 The law of his God is in his heart; None of his steps shall slide.
32 The wicked watches the righteous, And seeks to slay him.
33 The Lord will not leave him in his hand, Nor condemn him when he is judged.
34 Wait on the Lord, And keep His way, And He shall exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.
35 I have seen the wicked in great power, And spreading himself like a native green tree.
36 Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more; Indeed I sought him, but he could not be found.
37 Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; For the future of that man is peace.
38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; The future of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble.
40 And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him.
When the psalm speaks of inheriting the land, it’s not just about earthly blessings but also about the eternal inheritance God promises to those who trust in Him. This is the security we can have in Christ, knowing that our true home is with Him forever.
For those who choose wisdom, we have the testimony of God’s faithfulness. God does not forsake His people, providing for their needs and granting us a lasting inheritance. We should live confidently and graciously, knowing that choosing God’s wisdom reaps and eternal, glorious reward that far exceeds the temporary successes of unrighteousness.
The world may offer fleeting pleasures and apparent success, but those things are temporary. Wisdom from God leads to a life of eternal significance. As we trust in Him, we inherit peace, security, and the joy of knowing that our lives are aligned with His purposes. And in the end, that’s the only thing that truly matters
As we navigate life’s choices, may we remember that wisdom is not just about avoiding mistakes—it’s about aligning ourselves with God’s heart and purposes. Let us commit to making choices today that reflect His wisdom and trust that He will uphold us through every season of life. Wisdom from God leads us to a life of peace, purpose, and eternal reward. The question for each of us is: Will we choose His wisdom today?
