Bible Society of South Africa
Neville Turley

Gems from the Psalms – Day 1

A matter of choice

Bible text(s)

Psalms 1—41

True Happiness

1Happy are those

who reject the advice of evil people,

who do not follow the example of sinners

or join those who have no use for God.

2Instead, they find joy in obeying the Law of the LORD,

and they study it day and night.

Psalms 1:1-2GNBOpen in Bible reader

22My inner being delights in the law of God. 23But I see a different law at work in my body — a law that fights against the law which my mind approves of. It makes me a prisoner to the law of sin which is at work in my body.

Romans 7:22-23GNBOpen in Bible reader

In his ministry, our Lord Jesus Christ quoted extensively from Psalms. Most Christians have favourite psalms or verses through which the Holy Spirit strengthens, comforts and enriches them. The Psalms are every Christian’s personal treasure chest containing precious gems that draw us closer to God and bring us blessing upon blessing.

For this series, I have chosen gems from the Psalms that have spoken to my heart.

Our verse for the day gives us the formula for true happiness. If you want joy – real joy – you must lead a godly life. The decision we need to make is clear-cut, good and evil are stipulated in black and white, for God does not tolerate shades of grey.

The problem is that humans are both a mixture of good and evil, and we may make choices that we will live to regret.

Paul summed up the dilemma for all of us, for often, when we want to do the right thing, we fall short of the mark. My inner being delights in the law of God. But I see a different law at work in my body – a law that fights against the law which my mind approves of. It makes me a prisoner to the law of sin which is at work in my body. (Romans 7:22-23)

Paul was in the same situation as every other human being. He found his answer in Jesus Christ. Our verse for the day is a constant reminder that we need to conquer the devils within us and lead godly lives to achieve true happiness. However, as Paul, we cannot do it alone; only through Jesus Christ will we achieve true happiness in this life and for all eternity.

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