The Company We Keep

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Psalm 1:1-3

The Psalmist begins the weighty book of Psalms with on a stark note. Immediately the contrasting pictures are displayed. One man walks in the "council of the wicked. " The other man finds delight in God and his Law.

We should be thankful for this cross section of scripture if for no other reason than this: it displays to us the character of true holiness. As seen here, holiness, and in turn closeness to God, is not determined by the rules we keep or break but by the company we run with.

Often we are encouraged to think of living a "holy" life as abstaining from a list of things we are not to do. Yet, the Psalmist displays that it is far better think of personal holiness and righteousness in terms of our closeness to God, and in terms of our love for him and his will for our life. If we are seeking to abide in his presence and love him, he will surely make us more holy. By keeping company with him, and not those who run away from him, we place ourselves under his loving, sanctifying grace.

That is a good place to be. Righteous by association. Thank goodness, because we could never do it on our own. Blessed are we, if we delight in our Lord and his law.