Happy are those who reject the advice of evil people, who do not follow the example of sinners or join those who have no use for God.
Instead, they find joy in obeying the Law of the Lord, and they study it day and night.
They are like trees that grow beside a stream, that bear fruit at the right time, and whose leaves do not dry up. They succeed in everything they do.
But evil people are not like this at all; they are like straw that the wind blows away.
Sinners will be condemned by God and kept apart from God's own people.
The righteous are guided and protected by the Lord, but the evil are on the way to their doom.
I am not a farmer, but I know that you need seed, good soil, time, watering, and care if you want fruit to grow. Fruit is different from a gift. God can instantly give us something as a gift, when we have done nothing. Fruit, however, is different. Every day, I may get frustrated when something doesn't go my way, or doesn't move quickly enough, or if I make mistakes. But if I just stop for a moment and think of the years that have passed, then I am encouraged. Why? Because I know that God has been changing me, that I have made progress. More than that! I can see that the mistakes, delays, and frustrations are precisely what have helped me to improve and to find the right way forward. Looking back, I can appreciate the long, hard path, because my patience has expanded along with humility, maturity, and more.
In order to bear fruit, we need the right conditions, the right environment. While one of those conditions is time, it is a mistake to think that the fruit of the Spirit will develop in our lives if we just wait long enough. If we really want the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, we will need more than just time and hard work. Psalm 1 tells us we need the proper environment.
What is included in a proper environment? We cannot expect fruit if we do not meditate daily on the ways of the Lord. It is necessary to have a routine that includes studying the Scriptures. We will need to take time to listen to songs of praise and thanksgiving, and less to music that does not honor the Spirit of God. We need to crucify certain things in our daily life, things like wasting hours in front of the screen, foolish talk, laziness, and "bad company." Why do we think we can keep ungodly things around us and still bear spiritual fruit in our lives?
I want the fruit of the Spirit in my life, in my character. For that reason, I will be careful to surround myself with the right environment.
- 3 MARCH -