The Climb (A Journey Through Psalms for Men)

Psalm 1

Blessed is the onewho does not walk in step with the wickedor stand in the way that sinners takeor sit in the company of mockers,but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,and who meditates on his law day and night.That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,which yields its fruit in seasonand whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.

Not so the wicked!They are like chaffthat 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.

A few years ago, I took a rafting trip through the Grand Canyon.

Gliding down the Colorado River with billion-year-old rock faces standing impressively on either side of me, I remember feeling an incredible sense of wonder and fear; this was not a journey to be taken lightly. Here's the thing though; during the week we were on the river, not once did I have to navigate the rapids on my own or climb the cliff walls to the campsite wondering what was around the corner.

I had a guide.

Craig Lutkey is a legend, a real-life cowboy who works as a river guide in the summer and a ski patrol rescue team leader in the winter. He knows the Canyon better than anyone. He's lived in it for months at a time and would point out things as small as a downed tree or fallen rock that had shifted since his last time through. He knew the best way to go at every turn, and because of him, so did we. I love that the Psalms open with a beautiful reminder of the guide we have in God, and the opportunity we have to follow Him. Yes, as men, we are going to face all kinds of obstacles on a day-to-day basis, but the promise of Psalm 1 is that if we focus on following God's way, memorizing His routes and listening to His voice, we will be blessed to have God Almighty watch over our course and lead us. Take heart today in the truth that you are not alone; God is your guide.