Walk in the Path of Righteousness

Psalm 1:1,4, “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….

4 The ungodly are not so,

But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.” (NKJV)

Please read the whole of Psalm 1.

I often get a call to be a referee or to write a character reference. Sometimes it is easy, but sometimes it is difficult. Many of them are my former students who want a character reference. One former student asked her sister (perhaps he was embarrassed) to approach me to write a character reference when he was in school. That was a real challenge, because this student never handed in any assignments and his behaviour was very challenging. But I had to extend my grace for a “few centimetres” more as I began to write. I tried to be tactful, honest, brief and positive. It was the shortest reference I have ever written. I think I concluded by saying ‘he is good in what he does when he puts his mind into the task.’ Miracle of all miracles-he got the job. Hallelujah!

In our text we have two character references: The godly person and the ungodly one. We will consider the godly one today, part 1. This man is wise and alert. Just like Daniel (and his friends in Babylon), he understands the significance of certain refusals when it comes to maintaining and building a godly character. He knew his limits as he continues to walk in the path of righteousness. He knew the warning lights and the danger of walking in the “Red Light District” of life, that is to say “in the counsel of the wicked.” I knew of a young man who went to seminary to become a minister. After graduation, he went to further his studies in the University. He came back home confused, distorted, disillusioned, totally ruined-simply because he sat amongst the liberals, philosophers, and atheist in the University. He doubted the Scripture and the existence of God. As a result, he abandoned the ministry.

A godly person sees another warning light, he does not “stand in the path of sinners.” Even your real ‘friends’ can hinder your growth in Christ. Leave them if necessary. As someone has said “I rather have Jesus, than my friends and what the world can offer.” Moses is our example: “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.” (Hebrews 11:24-26)

We have seen the ‘reference,’ and portrait of a godly man (and woman), please frame it beautifully. There will be part 2 of a godly person next time. All by grace. Blessings!