{"id":2910,"date":"2017-12-29T09:08:32","date_gmt":"2017-12-29T14:08:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/admin.patheos.com\/blogs\/holywrit\/?p=2910"},"modified":"2018-01-03T07:22:46","modified_gmt":"2018-01-03T12:22:46","slug":"new-years-advice-psalm-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/holywrit\/2017\/12\/new-years-advice-psalm-1\/","title":{"rendered":"New Year’s Advice from Psalm 1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

\"holy<\/a><\/p>\n

Do you make resolutions for the new year? While many people do, most resolutions last about as long as they take to make. What are we doing wrong?<\/p>\n

Resolutions can be an admirable effort. However, application is often difficult. For example, I had originally hoped to finish handwriting the Bible a second time by the end of this year. Life has changed much since my original goal in 2013. I\u2019m now \u201credirecting\u201d (as the GPS would say) to a new goal of finishing by the end of 2018.<\/p>\n

In looking at ways to improve my resolutions for the new year, I\u2019ve found myself focusing on Psalm 1. This Psalm has often been called a summary and introduction to Psalms, the Bible\u2019s longest book, with 150 chapters.<\/p>\n

The Way of the Blessed<\/h3>\n

The first chapter is only six verses. The structure consists of three parts. Verses 1-3 focus the life of the person who is blessed.<\/p>\n

What are the traits of a person who is blessed? The answer begins with three negatives:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \u201cdoes not walk in step with the wicked\u201d<\/li>\n
  2. does not \u201cstand in the way of sinners\u201d<\/li>\n
  3. does not \u201cwalk in the company of mockers\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \u00a0<\/p>\n

    In contrast, the blessed person:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. delights in God\u2019s law<\/li>\n
    2. meditates on God\u2019s words day and night<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      \u00a0<\/p>\n

      The person who does these two things is noted as:<\/p>\n