I got this ad the other day to try out a new book service. They said they could get me books to read cheaper than bookstores or Kindle. I was curious so I went to the site to take a look.
It seemed legit so I answered a few questions about what types of books I like to read and then pressed enter. My list was on how to books, Christian non-fiction and cooking.
I was surprised at all the books that came back having to do with self help, meditation, get rich ideas, and other ways to better myself. Now I fell down that rabbit hole once or twice, or more in my lifetime!
All sorts of books that say if I do ‘this’ then I will get ‘that’. You can fill in the blanks. If I ‘pray more’ I’ll be more Christlike, if I ‘do’ more I’ll be more Christian, if I ‘give more’ then God will ‘bless’ me more…the list goes on and on.
Now I’m not saying any of those things are bad. It is good to pray and do, and bless people. But God knows my heart. Am I doing all those things to know Him better, or am I doing all those things to get something?
God knows the intentions of my heart, just like He knew David’s heart.
I found a great Psalm that will help me in this life:
Psalm 1;1-3 AMP
Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked [following their advice and example],
Nor stand in the path of sinners,Nor sit [down to rest] in the seat of scoffers (ridiculers).
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,And on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night.
And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season;Its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity].
Now that last line got me, “WHATEVER He does, he prospers”! I don’t need the latest self-help book to figure out what to do. God tells me right here,”Don’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, don’t stand in the path of the sinners, but DELIGHT myself in the Word!”
Here it is from The Message Bible;
Psalm 1:1-6
How well God must like you—you don’t walk in the ruts of those blind-as-bats,
you don’t stand with the good-for-nothings,
you don’t take your seat among the know-it-alls.
Instead you thrill to God’s Word,
you chew on Scripture day and night.
You’re a tree replanted in Eden,
bearing fresh fruit every month,
Never dropping a leaf,always in blossom.
You’re not at all like the wicked,
who are mere windblown dust—Without defense in court,
unfit company for innocent people.
God charts the road you take.
The road they take leads to nowhere.
Praise the Lord, God charts our path as we chew on, (read and meditate) on God’s Word! Let me go read another chapter, how about you?
