Portrait of a Righteous Man

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. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Psalms 1:1-6

 I am in awe when I think of the time and talent that is required to paint a portrait. I am creative, but drawing or painting are NOT my medium! I've been reading and pondering Psalm 1 for the last couple weeks. And I have come to the conclusion that it is a portrait of a righteous person. You've got what he is, and what he's not. First we get a glimpse of his relationships. He does not "walk", "stand", or "sit" in company with those who oppose the Lord. Instead,  he meditates (which implies intentionality) on God's law "day and night". Then we get the illustration. "He is like a tree planted by streams of water". This Psalm was penned in a desert area. In the desert, everything is heat and light, so a tree by a stream is a picture of an oasis. Water, shade, food. And it says he prospers. Why? Because his DELIGHT is in the Lord. He is focusing on his God and what pleases his God. Next is an ever so brief sentence again showing what the righteous man is not. "The wicked... are like chaff". I was struck by the difference between a tree and chaff. A tree is alive, strong, and valuable, while chaff is dead, weak, and worthless. So the wicked will not stand. They will be driven to their knees under the wrath of God...

Now at this point you may be thinking, "That's cool. I fall in the righteous person category." But the text doesn't allow us to go there. It doesn't say "Blessed is the man who generally walks not..." and "his delight is sometimes (or often) in the law of the Lord..." and "on his law he meditates occasionally". No these are exclusive statements. He "walks not", "his delight is in", and he "meditates day and night"! Suddenly, I see that I don't live up to the standard. But I know the One who does!

So were does that leave me? I know that Christ died for sinners. I know I'm a sinner. And I believe that His life and death are a sufficient substitute for me. So I am counted in the congregation of the righteous. And the Lord is able to make me, along with the rest of His people, stand-- on account of the One Righteous Man.

The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.
Psalms 37:23-24
 
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:20-21