In Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17.

It’s good to remember and consider what the Scripture above reminds us of as we read our next Book, the Book of Psalms. In the notes it says that they were written between the time of Moses (approximately 1440 B.C.) and the Babylonian captivity (586 B.C.). They are heart-felt songs of praise and need and assurance in our Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit. Reading our first one, Psalm 1, I can’t help but see a path that is beautiful. I can’t help but see our hearts affected by the path we choose. How about your heart and mine? Can we see the effect upon our own hearts when we embrace God’s love and wisdom for our good contrasted with the effect of hardness, anger, defiance of respect for all that is good played out throughout all the ages of mankind? Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, v. 1. Are we tired of all the problems in this world that we cannot solve without the help and wisdom and love of God? Are we contributing to those problems? But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night, v. 2. Can you imagine if every person living today turned to God and asked for His help? That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers. v. 3. It has always been a choice. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction. v. 4, 5, 6. Think of all the things in our world that lead to destruction…drug addiction and its violence, terrorism, hate for others, oppression in all its forms, greed, degradation of fellow human beings in the sex trade…the list goes on. A path. 

There is another path. When we want to breathe air that is fresh and good, let our hearts be guided by praise and thankfulness. Just that puts us on a path of growth with our Creator God who loves us and is doing a good work in us. God’s love will accomplish the good He desires for us. It begins within where it always must…our choosing to love and trust God. It’s personal. Let God in and let God be God in your life and find yourself rejoicing with Him. And joy of joy…that rejoicing is eternal! Praise God from Whom all blessings flow! All the ways of destruction will one day be ended. What will be left? A path beautiful and sure and God’s hand to guide you.