Today’s Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be deceived: “Evil Company corrupts good habits.”
On the 25th of March, 2011, the Daily Independent newspaper told the story of 28-year-old Ismaila, who was arrested by a mobile policeman in the Isolo area of Lagos, Nigeria. His crime? Armed robbery. Ismaila and a gang of six had descended on the unsuspecting inhabitants of Isolo at about 1.00pm. They successfully dispossessed a store owner of her handbag, money, mobile phone and accessories, and sped off on motorbikes. Luck ran out on them when a mobile policeman on duty at a nearby bank dared them and, in the process, apprehended Ismaila. In the glare of newspaper cameras and reporters, he blamed his choice of association in Mushin, a Lagos suburb, for leading him down the wrong road.
A sad case, but a popular experience: our company hugely influences our character. What does this have to do with the blessing you might ask? The blessing follows obedience to God’s commandments and obedience is cultivated in an environment. The Bible says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful” (Psalm 1:1). In other words, blessed are those who do not subject themselves to the influence of a negative environment. Rather, they create an environment for the presence of God. They delight in the law of the Lord and meditate in it day and night. They allow the Word of God influence their every thought and action. They are unusually fruitful.
You cannot be blessed and not be fruitful. Nothing threatens the blessing and the manifestation thereof like disobedience, which is sin. Preserve a godly environment around you. Distraction from the world around you is not solicited, but always available. The world has a myriad of alternative content streaming from numerous gadgets fighting for our attention and urging us to adhere to them. We must constantly fight to keep our minds on whatsoever things are pure and lovely; of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).
We must fight to keep our minds on the Word of God, even today. It will influence our actions, and preserve the fruits of God’s blessing in our lives. Let preserving an environment for God’s Presence and obedience to His will be our utmost priority at all times. The blessing and its fruits will not elude you, in Jesus’ name.
Memorize & Meditate:
“Blessed is the man, Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.” Psalm 1:1-3
Prayer/Confession:
Father, grant me the grace to keep my mind in Your Word. Cause the meditations of my heart and the words of my mouth to be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord. I walk not in the counsel of the ungodly. I delight in the law of the Lord. I meditate in it day and night. I am blessed, in Jesus’ name.
