The Path of the Righteous: Walking in God’s Favor

Series: Seeing Christ in the Psalms

Bible Passage: Psalm 1

Summary: Psalm 1 contrasts the way of the righteous and the wicked. This Psalm emphasizes the blessings that come to those who delight in God's law and walk in His ways.

Big Idea: If you will cultivate a personal relationship with Christ Jesus, follow the example he gives in Scripture, and walk with Him on the path of righteousness, you will find lasting joy and spiritual blessings.

1. The Righteous Choose Their Company Carefully

Psalm 1:1

Explanation: The people with whom we associate and the influences to which we listen shape our spiritual direction either toward or away from God. Psalm 1:1 stresses the importance of not walking, standing, or sitting in the company of ungodly people. Instead, we must follow Christ, who perfectly embodies God’s righteousness, and we must associate with other believers who are trying to follow Christ. Doing so we lead us to towards joy and personal blessings.

Illustration: Twelve Step Programs and Drug Recovery Programs that you must change your friend-group if you are going to successfully break your addiction. They also stress that the places you go will make or break your addiction.

Application: Who do you hang around with? Where do you go to have fun? What do you listen to throughout the week? Where do you get your advice and counseling? Answer those questions honestly and you will have your answer as to which direction you are headed.

2. The Righteous Delight in God’s Word Daily

Psalm 1:2

Explanation: The source of peace, happiness, and purpose in life comes through meditation on God’s biblical principles and praying for His guidance in daily life. Psalm 1:2 teaches us that Christ guides us primarily through His Holy Word. When we meditate on Scripture and reflect on how we can apply it to our lives, God fills us with his wisdom and gives us guidance.

Application: How much time do you spend each week studying God’s Word and praying for his help and guidance?

3. The Righteous are Rooted in God’s Holy Spirit

Psalm 1:3

Explanation: The Psalmist uses a tree planted by streams of water from Psalm 1:3 to symbolize the righteous person who draws their spiritual sustenance from the Lord and God’s Word. In the Gospels and New Testament Christ and the apostles pick up this image and use it to describe our relationship to our Savior and his Holy Spirit. Christ describes himself as the source of the spring of living water that will sustain his followers in every season. Jesus also describes himself as the vine and his followers a branches, and he describes Israel as olives trees and fig trees.

Scripture: “The gifts of the Spirit are…” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Application: When we are “in Christ,” we bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit. your and I must remain rooted in Christ to ensure lasting vitality, fruitfulness, and blessings.

4. The Righteous Forsake the World’s Philosophies

Psalm 1:4-5

Explanation: According to Psalm 1:4-5, the popularity, power, and success of the wicked are fleeting. The foundation upon which the wicked build their lives is unstable and their eternal future is bleak if they continue to reject God and the path that Jesus models for us.

Scripture: “Broad is the way to destruction, and narrow is the way of salvation and few who find it.”

Application: Choose eternal values and lay up treasures in heaven instead of immediate self-gratification with temporary worldly treasures that are going to pass away. Pray to Christ for guidance and a purposeful life.

5. The Righteous Rest Secure in the Salvation of Our Savior

Psalm 1:6: “for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.”

Explanation: Psalm 1:6 distinguishes the path of the righteous from the paths of the wicked. Christ’s sacrificial love and righteousness can secure your place in God’s family, but you must be willing to surrender your life to him and walk the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Application: You have a decision to make. Which road are you going to travel? Perhaps reassure your audience of the security and confidence they have in following Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life.

Conclusion

How this passage could point to Christ: Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled the qualities of the righteous man when he fulfilled the Old Testament Law and then dying on the cross for our sins. He is our ultimate source of blessing and righteousness.

Teaching: Your true happiness will come from a humble life rooted in God's Word and characterized by His righteousness, and not from worldly treasures, success, popularity, or power.

Application: Assess your life and the people you follow or with whom you hang around. Choose your friends and habits carefully so that their influence will lead you to grow spiritually rather than backslide and sin against God.