Psalm 1:1 (NIV): Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked
One of my most vivid memories was when I was in the Nolan Junior High School marching band in Killeen, Texas. We performed at halftimes for our 9th grade football games. Fun times. But…. my memory was a bad one. I played trumpet and based on the marching formation I was supposed to make an “about face” turn on a particular yard line. Well, I turned 10 yards early. Half of the marching band depended on me to turn at the right place. Half of the band followed me. The result was a formation that was completely crazy and I was responsible. That was 50 years ago. I remember it like it was yesterday.
I made a mistake. Still, the impact of walking in step with others is something that happens all the time.
The psalmist gives a blessings for NOT doing something. He warns about walking in step with the wicked. In order for me to avoid following the wicked I need to know right from wrong. Our world can be confusing. What is right or good? What is wrong or evil?
Understanding our world through the lens of a God who created everything and is good is the only way I can know the difference between right from wrong. Without God I am left with moral relativism. In our world today, I see the results of walking in step with the wicked. In so many ways, our culture is degrading into an evil that only cares about the feelings of the individual. I know there is a much better way. I want all to be blessed by walking the right path and avoiding the wicked one. I learn right from wrong through immersing myself in God’s word.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I follow others and others follow me. May I choose to be blessed by You as I avoid the wicked and embrace those who follow You.
