Choose Wisely - Psalm 1:1-6

We have all heard it said that experience is a wonderful teacher. It has been my experience to find that many of the choices that I have made on my own have taught me lessons that were far too expensive. I recall that the Great Depression was especially hard on teen-agers. The automobile industry grew rapidly during the 1930s and 40s and I was hooked on cars but was unable to afford a new one. I did not realize that the price of clunkers plus the massive upkeep was even more costly than buying the new ones; therefore I surely could not afford to buy someone else’s problems.

In 1943 I finally accumulated enough money to make a down payment on a 1936 model Ford. It used oil to excess; the mechanical breaks were constantly in need of repair and the monthly payments plus the cost of upkeep soon proved that I had made a bad choice. I did not learn from my experience, and used car dealers kept me drained for years. My choices were usually poor ones, and even when I would seek advice from men who knew the industry, I was often misled.

The greatest financial mistake of my life continued on a regular monthly basis until I was in my mid-fifties. I chose to spend all that I made and save nothing for the rainy days ahead. I did not choose wisely and will always have to suffer the consequences. Looking back on my experiences and by studying God’s word, I know now that CHOOSING WISELY is one of the most profitable practices any man can choose to make while making this so journey through life.

According to Psalm 1 there are only two roads through life and there are only two destinations, Heaven and Hell. We can fail to choose wisely about all other decisions we make and still find that the results are bearable; surely some better than others but even the worst is not total disaster. When it comes to the two roads mentioned here in Psalm 1, it is imperative that the right choice is made and that it is made at the right time—while time and opportunity will afforded. No person can risk his own personal judgment in making the decision as to which road through this life he will take. Charles Spurgeon once said, “Walk with God, and you cannot mistake the road; you have infallible wisdom to direct you, permanent love to comfort you, and eternal power to defend you.” There is no doubt in my mind that this is the only choice in this life that you are capable of making on your own—and even in this case you must depend upon the Holly Spirit to guide you in making the choice.

The two roads are referred to by biblical scholars as the High Way and the Low. John Oxenham, is the noted British hymn writer who wrote the hymn, “In Christ, There Is No East Nor West.” He put to music a poem that he had written entitled “The Ways” that is quoted below.

‘ THE WAYS’
To every man there openeth But to every man there openeth
A Way, and Ways and a Way, A High way and a Low,
And the High Soul climbs the High Way, And every man decideth
And the Low Soul gropes the Low, The Way his soul shall go.
And in between, on the misty flats,
The rest drift to and fro.

Yes, every one of us must make this choice, and to error is tragic. The poem is penned with poignant language that most of us only wish we could write. It states that many different paths are lying before us that we can choose; but among these many roads that we can take, in reality there is only two paths—The High road to Heaven and the Low road to Hell. Our life here on earth and ultimately our eternal destiny will be determined by the choice we make regarding the Way our soul will go. We must remember that not only is it imperative that we make the right choice [WE MUST CHOOSE WISELY] but it is also imperative that we travel the road of choice.

Psalm 1 explains the differences found between these two Ways of life while we remain here on earth and even more important in eternity. Today the right choice leads to blessings unbelievable; while the wrong choice leads to sorrow and curses that are bred by sin. We are at the election polls voting for the High Way to salvation or the low path to eternal destruction. How will you mark your ballot?

While I have your doubting mind listening one more time, let me assure you upon the authority of Almighty God, you have a choice to believe in heaven and hell or to doubt that they are a reality. In order to escape Hell and eternal torment, you MUST make the right decision and believe that they are real—and you will spend eternity in one of these places. Answer now—which will it be. Psalms tells us that there are only two roads in this life—the way of the godly and the way of the ungodly and they definitely lead to two different destinies—LIFE and DEATH; life eternal and in the presence of Jesus Christ your Savior and death which means you will continue the dying process forever in a burning torment separated from all that is good especially the presence of Christ who loved you so much he died one the cross to save you from the torment you will suffer forever. It is a matter of your choice! You do not have the privilege of ignoring this decision; therefore it is imperative that you choose well.

Should you ask me today what I pray for the most—my answer would be WISDOM. It requires the wisdom of God to make right choices or decisions. The first Psalm is considered a wisdom Psalm—one that provides guidance for godly living and that is why it is so important for us to study it today and follow the instructions we find in this writing. It provides a clearly marked entrance to the path of righteousness, and it serves as an introduction to the entire Book of Psalms.

The main idea that I get from this first Psalm is that Christians are a blest people. We are insulated from the evil deceptions and defilements of this wicked world. This is not a special gift unavailable to others, but is afforded to all of us who study and internalize God’s Word. To the contrary, the unbeliever, wicked, and unstable, will perish because they have refused to believe on the Only Begotten Son of God. I found another way of stating this same belief that supports what I have just told you. I think the godly are blessed because they do not live according to the sinful philosophies, practices, or associations of fallen man but are deeply rooted in God’s Word.

The only road map that clearly shows both the High way and the Low way is the word of God. Nothing else written, stated, drawn or devised by any one else is accurate information. Each denomination, or different church, has some of their MAN-MADE MAPS DRAWN FOR YOU TO FOLLOW. My warning is that much of it is trash and untruth. There are many good commentaries that may help you to understand the Bible…but they are not the whole TRUITH. This commentary that I write is the best I can do to explain Psalm 1, but if you really want to know what THE BIBLE says and means then you must personally read Psalm 1 and ask God to explain the absolute truth found there. If you are uneducated, a weak reader, or even have a mental deficiency, you may need to go to others who can help you understand. I am sorry, but I can not tell you for sure who that person should be. I can tell you that when you make your choice…you must choose wisely. I can assure you that if you choose wisely, that person will never tell you to go anywhere else for your information…other than GOD’S WORD. And God’s word starts with a book called Genesis and ends with the Revelation. It has a book called Psalm near the middle and the very first chapter begins with an emphatic declaration that God’s abundant favor will rest upon the person who lives a truly God-centered life.

In the original Hebrew, the first sentence, the word blessed is repeated to emphasize it to be plural…blessed, blessed, most blest, which may also mean happy, or very happy, is the man….who does not stand in the way of sinners—and does not allow a wicked man to be his counselor…We need to listen to Redeemed, God believing counselors. This means that we must make the right choice of counselors to believe. I can not help you hear…but I can tell you that you need to seek the help of the Holly Spirit to teach you how to make good choices. How can you know that you are not living in error? Here are a few simple answers. You are doing great if:

You trust Christ and believe his word. You delight in his Word. You live a God centered life. You actually meditate upon His Word day and night. You do not stand in the way of sinners. You are living a separated life that is distinct from the beliefs and behavior of ungodly people. You are still in the world but not of it.

Fruit is the test of salvation. What fruit are you bearing? What choice have you made—the HIGH ROAD or THE LOW? Your life depends upon the CHOICE YOU MAKE.