Blessed is the one…whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 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.
— PSALM 1:1–3

Many regard Psalm 1 as the prologue of the whole collection of 150 psalms. The psalmist highlights the lifestyle, path and result of two different types of people: the righteous
and the wicked. As God’s people, of course, we choose to follow the path of the righteous, resulting in God’s blessings, protection and prosperity.

How can we be sure we are following the path of the righteous? One of the indicators as depicted in Psalm 1:1-3 is the love of God’s words. We not only familiarize ourselves with God’s teaching, but also take his words to heart and make them our life-guiding principles. This kind of life will be evident with vitality and fruit-bearing.

Coincidentally, in John 15, Jesus used the analogy of the vine and the branches to teach his disciples of a fruit-bearing life. He said, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (v.7). He also said, “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love” (v.10). A Christ-centred life is therefore a life that is living in a close and loving relationship with Christ, imitating his example of obeying God’s teaching, and a life that bears fruit, fruit that lasts.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. How are the righteous differentiated from the wicked? Which path am I taking?
2. Am I really delighted in his words? Does my soul thirst for his words or do I just read them as a chore?

Aaron Tang served as Senior Pastor of Emmanuel Alliance Church of Ottawa for more than 15 years. He is now Executive Director of the Canadian Chinese Alliance Churches
Association (CCACA).