Isaiah 1:30 (ESV)
[30] For
you shall be like an oak
whose
leaf withers,
and like a
garden without water.
What an interesting contrast between this verse and Psalm 1:3
[3] He
is like a tree
planted
by streams of water
that
yields its fruit in its season,
and its
leaf does not wither.
In all that he
does, he prospers.
What makes the difference? The people of God in Isaiah are not listening to his Word, but pursuing their own desires. The individual in Psalm 1 is meditating on the Word of God day and night. The Word has power. Hebrews 4:12 describes it this way,
[12] For the
word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to
the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the
thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Interestingly that verse is Hebrews 4 is sandwiched between two thoughts. Verse 11 says to “strive to enter into his rest.” Verse 13 warns that “no creature is hidden from his sight.” The Word of God plays a critical role in the life of individuals and groups of people. Whether fellowship groups, churches, communities, or countries, a key difference between flourishing and failing is whether we heed the Word of God. We can’t force others to pay attention to it, but we can start with ourselves. Are we reading God’s Word? Are we listening to God’s Word? Are we meditating on God’s Word? Are we paying attention to God’s Word? Or are we simply twisting it to our own devices? The difference between the discipline of Isaiah 1:30 and the blessing of Psalms 1:3 is what we do with the Word of God.
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