Psalm 1:3 promises that God’s children can be “like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” Your life will be truly blessed. What rule governs such life? Psalm 1:1-2 states the rule. This person lives their life in this way: “Blessed is the one who does walk in step with the wicked . . . but whose delight is in the law of the LORD.” This is the rule that you must follow in everything you do: avoid evil and sin; delight in obeying God’s word.

There will be many occasions when you would be tempted: “I can gain this or that. I just need to do this thing that makes God angry. Yes, I know the Bible says I shouldn’t. But the gain is important to me. I’ll just do it once. Yes, it sins against God, but it’s a small matter. It’s not as if I killed someone.” Or you might think this way: “I know obeying the Bible is important. But in this situation, obeying the Bible is not going to solve my problem. If things worsen, I’m the one who will suffer the consequences.” You are right. Oftentimes there is something to gain by ignoring God’s commands. You are also right that obeying the Bible might not solve the problem.

Dear Christian, you must understand that we obey the Bible not because it will or will not solve our problems. We obey for this simple reason: Christians must obey the Lord. Period. But what about the consequences? This is beside the point. The Lord rightly said in Isaiah 1:2-3, “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Whether it is convenient or not, we are obligated to obey our parents. Whether the weather is hot or cold, if the master says, “plough the fields,” the ox must obey.

But our Lord knows our needs. He knows we need money to buy rice and pay electricity bills. He also knows we hope to save a bit of money and buy our children some special treats that will bring a smile to their face. He also knows that life is very difficult. The Lord knows we are concerned about our survival. He knows and he cares. He also desires to give us things to bring a smile to our face: “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:11-13). Dear child of God, rest assured: the Lord desires you to be happy and well. He knows and desires to provide for you. You do not need to worry a single bit: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matt 6:34). Trust your Saviour.

You do not need to worry about tomorrow. What you should “worry” is this: Are you “walking in step with the wicked [sin]” or is your “delight is in the law of the LORD”? Simply said: Is your life heading in the direction called “sin” or “holiness”? Is your life lived in obedience to God’s word? Is God and His holiness in everything you do and desire? As you start the new year, dear child of God, do this and all will be well: “I will honour the Lord in everything I do. If anything displeases God, I will not desire it.” Then, you will be “like a tree planted by streams of water.” And when it is time to harvest and enjoy the fruits, this tree, that is, your life “yields its fruit in season, and whose leaf does not wither; whatever they do prospers” (Psalm 1:3). But if you do not determine to live by God’s word, then, God’s word foretells your future and warns you: “Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore, the wicked will not stand in the judgment” (Psalm 1:4-5a). Dear Christian, make this your main direction: “I will obey the Lord by faith.”