Let’s open our Bibles to Psalm 37. This is a Psalm of David that starts off by offering encouragement to believers. David gives us INSTRUCTIONS on how to live our lives “in the Lord.” Starting in verse 1, “Do not fret because of EVIL DOERS, nor be envious of the WORKERS OF INIQUITY for they shall SOON BE CUT DOWN like the grass and wither as the green herb. TRUST IN THE LORD and do good, Dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness. DELIGHT (chephets: bringing extreme satisfaction and great pleasure) YOURSELF also in the Lord and He shall GIVE YOU THE DESIRES (mish’âlâh: to long or hope for something) OF YOUR HEART. COMMIT your way to the Lord. Trust also in Him and HE SHALL BRING IT TO PASS. He shall bring fourth your righteousness as the light and your justice as the noonday. REST in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.”
Notice that there are four things that David tells us to do either “in the Lord” or “to the Lord.” These are 4 of God’s blessings to us. THEY ARE:
- TRUST: Trust, according to the Bible, is a CONFIDENT, SURE, and BOLD RELIANCE ON GOD. “LORD, you will give PERFECT PEACE to anyone who commits himself to be faithful to you. That’s because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)
- DELIGHT: Something from God that brings extreme satisfaction and great pleasure. “Love does not DELIGHT in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always PROTECTS, always TRUSTS, always HOPES, always PERSEVERES.” (1 Corinthians 13:6-7)
- COMMIT: To promise or give your LOYALTY, TIME, or MONEY to Christianity, to Jesus Christ, or committing to a life of obedience. Joshua said this, “…if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then CHOOSE FOR YOURSELVES THIS DAY whom you will serve…But as for me and my household, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD.” (Joshua 24:15)
- REST: Sometimes, rest refers to tranquility or peace of mind WITH GOD because of our relationship WITH JESUS CHRIST. “REST IN THE LORD and WAIT PATIENTLY FOR HIM; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm.” (Psalms 37:7-8)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham