I’ve always liked the imagery of Psalm 1, with its deep-rooted trees nourished by flowing water. Trees circled the lake I grew up by, drawing nourishment from water soaked earth. In drought years, when the lake was low, willow trees would quickly spring up on the newly uncovered lake-bed. Whether on the edge of a swamp, a stream of water, or a drainage ditch . . . trees thrive planted close to water.

The Psalmist, notices how those who are faithful to the law, who choose paths of justice and righteousness are flourishing.

“Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked . . .
Their delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on that law they meditate day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2

Their lives, the psalmist observes,  are rich in the blessings of God.

“They are like trees
growing beside a stream,
trees that produce
fruit in season
and always have leaves.” Psalm 1:3 CEV

The psalmist knew that to live a good life and be at peace with one’s neighbor, one needed to sink deep roots into the stream of God’s truths.

Our world is full of challenges. We move from one crisis to the next. Hardships and hurts touch our lives. Sometimes, it can be difficult to delight in God’s law or even more so, to love our neighbor.

I like the way Carolyn Water puts it: “The law of loving is a more difficult law than all the other laws. It takes a lot of time sitting by streams of water reflecting on the beauty of the created order to rally enough spirit and strength to live by that law of love.” Carolyn R. Water Feasting on the Word: Year A, Volume 4:

Meditating on God’s word and resting in God’s presence,  is where we draw both wisdom  and strength to live lives of compassion, love, mercy, kindness and integrity.

May your roots grow deep into the depths of God’s loving presence, and be nourished beside streams of life giving water.