Firmly Planted

What Psalm 1 teach us about security in Christ

Security is a deep longing in our hearts that influences how we think and live. We want to know that we will be ok – physically, emotionally, and financially. We plan and worry and fret over making ourselves and our families secure. What is the security that we really want? How do we get it?

I want security. I don’t have to look hard or listen closely for something new to fear. There are threats all around me – all the time – and I’m so tempted to build an underground bunker and hide from everything. But, even that doesn’t offer me security – I’m already thinking of what I’d fear in the bunker. My nature is to go into control mode. If I can pay attention to every little detail, assess every threat, and make plans for every possible scenario, then I will be secure. Right? RIGHT? What happens when I start to try to control everything? I end up exhausted. Overwhelmed. Unsatisfied. Fearful. Not at all secure. I become painfully aware that most of the things I’m trying to control are completely out of my control.

The word security is derived from the Latin word, securus. Se means without and cura means care or anxiety. Security is life without anxiety. It’s freedom from danger or risk. It is confidence. Protection. Stability. We know that we can expect our lives to be full of hardship and trials. This is the way of our broken world. How do we find security in a world like this? Maybe security doesn’t mean that nothing bad ever happens. Maybe it means that when it does, you will remain stable.

Psalm 1 gives us a picture of a tree firmly planted by a stream of water. It bears fruit in its season. It doesn’t wither because it’s consistently receiving everything it needs for life and growth. In any season, no matter what happens, it prospers. This tree is firmly planted – it’s not moving. It endures whatever storms come through, constant change, and harsh weather conditions of different seasons. This is security. The tree consistently receives what it needs to live and grow because of where it’s planted. It doesn’t just survive, but it is fruitful. Its life, growth, and prosperity are not affected by storms and changing seasons because it is secure.

How do we receive the security of the firmly rooted tree? Psalm 1 tells us what not to do and what to do.

We do not walk in the counsel of the wicked.

We do not stand in the path of sinners.

We do not sit in the seat of scoffers.

If we do – we will be blown about like chaff in the wind.

We delight in the law of the Lord.

We meditate on His law day and night.

And when we do – we will be secure.

God graciously gives us security in Himself. We know the storms will come, but He will be our protection and stability. However, we have to plant ourselves. We need the Word of God for life. We wither without it. How do you delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on it day and night when life is full and you’re busy? 

Maybe you’ve heard this narrative: “Hey, you’re in a busy season… you don’t get to sit and have your Bible, resources, highlighters, a full cup of coffee, scone, and 2 hours of uninterrupted time for your quiet time right now.” And look, that’s the truth. I’m not arguing with that point. It’s been 8.5 years since I’ve had a quiet quiet time and it’s never IG-worthy. ‘Tis the season. I take issue with swinging too far to the other side of the spectrum: “Your life is full and busy and so all you get is little nuggets and that’s ok – a sermon on Sunday, a good word on Christian radio, reading your kids their storybook Bible. There will be another time for digging into God’s Word but now’s not the season.”

Nope. No. Not having it. Don’t accept this lie, friends. This is why we’re struggling. This is why we have no security. We are full of anxiety and worry and fear. We are not growing. We are not producing fruit. We are not being a blessing to those around us. We are trying to survive and grow on little nuggets of truth. Like one little broccoli stem. One little nutritious veggie now and then is not what your body needs. You need lots of veggies and meat and potatoes, too. You need to plant yourself firmly in the Word of God so that you consistently receive what you need. I’m not going to tell you what that looks like, because it may look different for each person and through different periods of your life. Our time in God’s Word will change with the seasons, but it should never be any less than firmly planting ourselves within it. If you’re in a busy and demanding season of life, it’s not the time to neglect the Word of God. Take it as your signal to dig in even deeper. 

When you abide in the Word of God, you will be like a tree planted by a stream of water. You will consistently receive what you need to grow and bear fruit. Your prosperity will not be for yourself – a tree doesn’t eat its fruit. You will be able to bless those around you. Especially the “wicked” who will perish without the good news of the gospel.

But, if you don’t abide in the Word of God, you will abide in the world. We are easily conformed to the people and culture around us. Little by little, over time, we will begin to look more like them. If you are not growing, you will wither. If you abide in Christ, you receive nourishment and delight, you grow and bear fruit, you use that fruit to bless those around you, and you can share hope with those who are hopeless. 

The Word of God is the living God. Our Father speaks to us through His Word. We get to hear His voice through the Scriptures. We delight because we get to meet Him there. We spend time with Him through His Word and prayer. We meditate day and night because we don’t want our time with him limited to those not-quiet-quiet-times. We want to be with Him always. We find security when we are firmly planted. We are firmly planted when we delight in Him and meditate on His Word day and night.

Dig in. Plant yourself. Grow roots. Delight. Bear fruit. Be secure.