[1]   Happy are those   
          who do not follow the advice of the wicked,   
     or take the path that sinners tread,   
          or sit in the seat of scoffers;   


[2]   but their delight is in the law of the LORD,   
          and on his law they meditate day and night.   
[3]   They are like trees   
          planted by streams of water,   
     which yield their fruit in its season,   
          and their leaves do not wither.   
     In all that they do, they prosper.

[4]   The wicked are not so,   
          but are like chaff that the wind drives away.   
[5]   Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,   
          nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;   
[6]   for the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,   
          but the way of the wicked will perish

Living in the country has helped me appreciate this Psalm. I was talking with a parishioner just yesterday about how her plants were drying up. They had been planted on a side of the house that had not received much rain. Even though we have had a wet spring, these plants were drying up and possibly cannot be saved. 

When we do not keep ourselves watered with God’s word we begin to dry up spiritually. Like a plant that expands its root system to find any kind of moisture, we will search far and wide for guidance. Unfortunately, in our thirst, we may not be discriminating about whence that advice comes. We will take advice from the latest “expert” and not even question his or her authority. The drier we get the more likely we are to wander from good counsel. Eventually we will be blown this way and that as chaff in the wind. We will not be able to stand strong against the winds of adversity or temptation.

God’s word is a steady source of spiritual nourishment, if we position ourselves to receive it on a continuing basis. It will never leave us dry or wanting. It will give us the ability to stand firm against the winds that try to take us down.

Instead of searching out other counsel we will bear the fruit of wisdom and righteousness. Notice the psalm says that the righteous meditate on God’s word day and night. This is a continual process. Fill your mind with the things of the Lord and God will watch over you.