READ: Ps. 1:1–6: … For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.
When it comes to truly lasting happiness that extends into eternity, or a life without that prospect, there are only two kinds of people. There are the righteous, believers, who seek and find their joy in the LORD and His Word and live with and for Him, on the one hand. And there are the ungodly, those who do not love and honour God with all their heart but live their own lives, on the other hand.
Accordingly, there are only two ways for every person: the way with God that leads to eternal salvation, and the way without God that leads to eternal death. Everyone must choose. For or against God, for or against Christ. There is no middle way.
Ultimately, on the last day it will become clear for everyone what God’s judgment concerning each person is: the resurrection to eternal life with eternal glory, or the resurrection to condemnation with eternal terror (Dan. 12:2; Matt. 25:46; John 5:29). That decision is already made here on earth.
Now, that life can be difficult for the believer. It is also a narrow way (Matt. 7:13). Many trials may come upon his path, much adversity and much opposition. The believer may also doubt the future when he thinks of his own sins.
The righteous person is not sinless. Yet he makes believing choices according to God’s Word: he does not want to participate in the world as it presents itself in the media and in various forms of entertainment, where the name of God is despised.
Thus he sees the antithesis in his life that God Himself has established: the conflict between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent. The believer also wants, with God’s help, to fight against his own sins. He can live only by grace.
The believer’s secret is that he knows that God knows his way. That means: God is near to him in everything. He helps him to make the right choices on the path that He leads him on. Therefore, the believer knows himself upheld and already experiences the happiness of eternal life.
Are we aware of God’s involvement in our lives?
Singing: Ps. 1:1,2