A few weeks ago we started looking at the three characteristics of a godly person, as found in Psalm 1. We examined in Psalm 1:1 that the first characteristic will be that a godly person seeks to separate their lifestyle from that of the world. Not that we seek to isolate ourselves from contact with the lost, but that we don’t live to please the world and its standards; we seek to live for and honor God with our lives.
Last week we looked at the second characteristic; that is, a godly person will be satisfied by the Word of God.
Today we will examine the third characteristic of a godly person. A godly person is intentional about positioning themselves to receive from God.
Situated By The Waters
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. (Psalm 1:3, ESV)
The godly person positions themselves to receive from God. Namely, “by streams of water.” The godly man or woman is likened to a tree that is planted, (or maybe it would be better translated as “transplanted”) by “streams of water.” The tree that is transplanted has been moved from one location to a place where it can grow and flourish because it now has access to “streams of water.”
I think it is significant that the scripture here talks about streams of water in the plural. Whenever water is used in scripture it generally refers to being used for cleansing or for drinking. Water for cleansing refers to the Word of God and water for drinking refers to the Spirit of God. So, the godly person has positioned themselves to be fed and receive nourishment from these dual streams of the Word and the Spirit. They are engaging the Bible, reading and journaling, memorizing and meditating on scripture. They are “in the Word until the Word gets into them.” They are also allowing the Spirit of God to control and empower their lives each and every day. When this happens, the godly person will experience growth and flourish and produce fruit. Jesus said that when we produce fruit, we prove to belong to Him,
“My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.” (John 15:8, CSB).
Application For D-Group Leaders
D-Group leaders should teach and model what it means to position themselves where they can receive from God. They should help their group members understand what it means to abide in Christ and allow Him by His Spirit to work through them so that they can produce fruit that remains.
Photo by
Aaron Burden on
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