Seeking Peace

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners,

nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

Psalm 1:1-2

Finding genuine peace is something that seems to elude most people. It eludes most people because we look for it in all the wrong places. What are we to do when we are lonely, empty, discouraged, or depressed? Should we call up a trusted friend and make plans so that we don’t have to think about our feelings? Should we entertain ourselves in some way, hoping that the feelings will pass? Or should we at least consider the possibility that such feelings are the Lord’s doing in order to point out something in our life that is spiritually out of sync?

The feeling of happiness or fulfillment that we are looking for is identified in the Bible as “blessedness.” To be blessed is so much more than just a feeling of happiness or contentment. It is a genuine and complete sense of fulfillment. This sense of blessedness can only come from the Lord. The good news is, Scripture tells us exactly how to find it.

In Psalm 1 we are told, “Blessed is the man (or woman) that does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers” (v. 1). Simply put, we are to avoid close personal relationships with people who choose lives of sin. These are not the people that we want to seek counsel from, to hang out with, or sit around with and visit. The people we allow to speak into our lives will sooner or later shape our lives. So, scripture first tells us what to avoid if we want peace. Avoid people who are Godless and mockers of what God is about.

Psalm 1 continues by telling exactly what our focus ought to be, “but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night” (v. 2). In order to find this true sense of peace we must love the word of God, the Bible. Not only must we love it, we must meditate on it.

Consider the contrast that is being laid before us here. On the one hand, we have the individual who walks, stands, and sits with those who are wicked, sinners, and scoffers. When you do this, you are constantly going think about the wrong things because, you have allowed the wrong information into your heart. On the other hand, is the person who is thinking about the right thing, God’s word. As you think about right things, you will do right things. The result is that you will delight in God’s word because you have seen God’s word work.

If you find yourself missing out on the peace and blessedness that God offers, consider the counsel of Psalm 1. Are your friends people who do not love the word of God? Are they scoffers, finding God’s word to be little more than a punch line of a joke? If so, it might be time for a change of scene. Begin to focus on the word of God and surround yourself with people who delight in God’s word. As you do, God promises a life of fruitfulness and prosperity.