Learning the way of biblical wisdom.

by Dr. David Downey

One of my favorite hymns (I confess I have many “favorites”) is “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” — partly because of its beautiful melody in a minor key, but mostly because Jesus has had a tremendous impact on my life with His gentle leading. Many times, I have wandered about, trying to be faithful to His leadership but uncertain what steps to take. Then in hindsight, I could see that the Shepherd was guiding me all along, closing doors and opening them. I recognized His masterful artistry after the steps had been taken and decisions made.

I am intrigued by the biblical theme of prosperity. I have studied God’s Word deeply to see if there was something I missed ­— some secret, some clue. I was willing to do anything to find this biblical prosperity, and I believe God knew I was willing for Him to reveal it to me. Much of what I learned came to me while studying the first psalm. I will concentrate on the first three verses, as they are as full a bucket as I can carry today.

What not to do

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful (Psalm 1:1).

We tend to see walking as more committed than sitting. We might view Psalm 1:1-3 as simple repetition. It is written otherwise, however, as these verses are ascending in impact. People walk and commit to a way, but when they stand in it, they are firm. Moreover, once people sit, in a sense, they have joined that way with their whole life. The psalmist is clear: How blessed is the one who refuses to do this!

If we wish to follow biblical wisdom, we will first realize that rebellion is not an option. We have chosen a way, and it is not disobedience. Prosperity is never found in refusing God’s guidance. In his commentary on this psalm, Charles Spurgeon says that from this text the rest of the psalms flow. Blessings are promised for the person who is willing to reject the way of darkness and choose God’s way.

At a conference, I heard a pastor tell one of the most memorable events of his life as a young farm boy. His father had taught him how to wring a chicken’s neck, which he did not like at all. He wrung the chicken’s neck, but his father had forgotten to tell him the chicken might run around for a while.

Terrified, the boy started running too. By chance, everywhere he went in the barnyard the chicken followed him. He turned and the chicken turned. He zigged and it zigged. He tripped and fell, and the chicken ran right over his back. The father, trying to comfort the traumatized boy, said, “Son, he’s dead. He just doesn’t know it yet.” 

This is a fitting picture of us. Scripture says that we are “dead to sin.” However, we may need to remind ourselves of this fact. We should refuse the way of death.

What to do

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night” (v. 2).

Thomas a Kempis said, “I have no rest, but in a nook, with the book.” Such a person delights in the law. It is still the law, and it still brings a yoke, but it is an “easy” yoke and a “light” burden.

When Jesus came preaching in His hometown, the people said, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!” (Mark 6:2). His wisdom, His authority in teaching, and His miraculous works were all united to His complete obedience to His Father.

Jesus also meditated on Scripture, evidenced when He used it so readily in both His temptations and teaching. He spent much time in prayer, often going out long before daylight to pray, going apart to pray, or praying before He completed some great act. Jesus did these things because He delighted in the law of God (Matthew 4:1-11).

A person thinks about what they like. We don’t dwell on terrifying or unpleasant thoughts for long, if we are wise. The word for meditation literally means to “growl” or “speak in an undertone.” We recall the words of God we read in the Bible and reapply them daily to our lives. When we have a quiet pause, we may insert these thoughts and aspirations. We can choose to institute an action we have already planned. Sometimes at night when sleep will not come, we should use these times to pray, to meditate, to call on God. Peaceful sleep can soon return.

Joseph Caryl, a Puritan minister in England, wrote in 1647 of reading Scripture:

It may be, at once reading or looking, we see little or nothing; as Elijah’s servant went once, and saw nothing; therefore he was commanded to look seven times. What now? says the prophet, “I see a cloud rising, like a man’s hand;” and by-and-by, the whole surface of the heavens was covered with clouds. So you may look lightly upon a Scripture and see nothing; meditate often upon it, and there you shall see a light, like the light of the sun.

Promise

He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper (Psalm 1:3).

Notice that Scripture says this person will be like a tree “planted.” This is not a wild tree but one specifically planted and cultivated so that it will produce. It is a choice plant, set next to the waters of nourishment, prepared for the Master’s good work. Because of this, the tree produces fruit in season. Early fruit is not fully flavored and is bitter. Late fruit is spoiled. But those who walk with God in His Word produce exactly when they should. They remain steadfast through trials and prosperity alike, always strong and useful.

The psalmist concludes with our theme: “Whatever he does shall prosper.” No “if’s, and’s, or but’s,” “might’s, would’s, or should’s” here. The person who forsakes the call of the flesh and embraces the Word of God will prosper. We know Scripture reminds us to pray while believing and to base our belief on the promises of God, rather than on our own wishes. When we pray for what we have already been promised, we ask with boldness and certainty! We have been promised prosperity if we forsake the fellowship of the rebellious and meditate on the Word of God. So we ask for prosperity, believe it is coming, and live in it!

Soul prosperity

We should listen carefully, however, or we will be misled by our own desires. The psalmist knew that there are times of bitterness and loss, just as there are times of jubilation. When I was younger, I tended to look at this psalm and dance in dreams of wealth and success. As I grew older, I learned that to be prosperous is not necessarily to dance at all.

The prosperity we long for is that of our souls. If God chooses, He may give us advancement, health, or wealth, for He delights in giving to His children. But what we truly long for is His presence, His favor, and our usefulness. This is what meditating on His Word reveals.