H – GEMS FROM PSALMS – 8
Psalm 37 gives some important
admonitions that can apply to us today.
We, like David, have a tendency to be discouraged as we see those that
are not following Christ to prosper and receive success and importance according
to the world when we do not.
As David thinks about the
prosperity of the wicked, he says to not fret about it and don’t be
envious. Ps.37:1 David may have been
writing as he talked to himself. The
“wicked” may not be such to us. They may
be outstanding citizens and considered good people but they are having success
that may be in competition with us. The
fact is that they are not in the Lord and we are trying hard to please the
Lord.
Psalm 73 shows the deep feeling
of frustration in David as he viewed the success of the unrighteous. A few verses will show this feeling. Ps.73:12,16,17 Their future will not continue in that
prosperity forever. Ps.37:2 When we fellowship
with the Lord and come in contact with Him in worship, then we, too, will
understand. So the first admonition is
given to us—trust. This trust is to
believe in, rely on, and depend on. Our
prosperity and success is spiritual.
That is what will last.
Ps.37:3 Too often we want
to trust in ourselves. “We can do it”,
we say. Jer.17:5,7 It is important
that we put our complete trust in the Lord.
The wealthy put their trust in their riches. Prov.11:28 The political powerful trust in their
success. Ps.146:3 The mighty cannot
trust in their strength before God. Deut.28:49,52; Ps.20:7 The intelligent know nothing in
comparison to God. Prov.3:5; Rom.1:22 None of
these will gain success forever. It will
only be those who trust in the Lord.
In times of trouble or
discouragement, don’t we need someone with whom we can just pour out our
hearts. God is the one. Ps.62:8 God doesn’t move. He is our Rock and He is forever. Our
mind cannot wander from here and there but must remain steadfast in the
Lord for perfect peace. Darts of trouble
may inflict us on the outside but we can have inner peace as we put out trust
in Him. Life doesn’t give us this
perfect peace except in the Lord. This
requires complete trust in Him. Ps.26:3,4
We can lay it all on Him.
The next admonition in this psalm
is to delight thyself in the Lord. Ps.37:4 A person not following the Lord will not
find real and lasting joy. An example of
this is found in Isa.58:13,14. Since the old Law was nailed to the cross
(Col.2:14), we no longer observe the
Sabbath Day (Saturday). However, the
first day of the week is now the important day for the Christian. Acts
20:7; 1 Cor.16:2 This first day was
very important to the early Christians and continues to be so today. Heb.10:25 We find joy as we meet together in
worship as we encourage one another.
We take joy in pleasing those we
love. The same is true and even more so
with our Lord. Ps.119:35 Where is our
delight, our joy? Ps.1:2 We have great joy in
salvation. Where would we be
otherwise? Ps.35:9 As we trust in the
Lord, we are able to enjoy peace and joy because of our hope in the Lord. Rom.15:13
As delight in the Lord becomes a
part of our lives, our desires change.
We will be given the desires of
thine heart. Matt.6:33; Ps.40:8 The
desires of our heart are such as pleases our Lord. We don’t get everything for which we
ask. God knows what we need and what is
best for us. He also knows the timing
which is best for us. Sometimes we just
have to wait on the Lord. Ps.27:14;
Jude 21 Our desires become what God
wants for us and what He sees as best for us.
Commit thy way unto the Lord. Ps.37:5 When we commit our ways unto the Lord,
we entrust our lives to Him. We hand
over our way to our Lord. It isn’t “our”
way any more. Prov.16:3 We roll our
burdens off of ourselves and on to the Lord for He knows the best way. 1
Pet.5:7 Ruth had a problem and was
anxious but Naomi had good advice. Ruth 3:18
Again we see that important word, “wait”. Our impatience is overcoming at times. Ps.55:22 Our “way” includes the manner in which
we live and the results thereof. Every
part of our life belongs to the Lord when we are committed.
Ps.37:7 “Rest” is a
beautiful word. How we long for true
rest. Sometimes this word in Hebrew
means to keep silent, hold your peace.
As we trust the Lord, delight ourselves in Him, and commit our lives to
Him, there is no need to argue with God.
We know His way is best and so we rest in His way. Ps.62:1,5 Jesus gave us a wonderful promise if we
will but go to Him. Matt.11:28-30 The mercy,
goodness, and lovingkindness of the Lord gives us rest for our souls in all
that He has done for us. Ps.116:7
Isa.48:17,18 God knows
best. We need the words spoken by
Isaiah. If only we would pay attention
and listen to let God lead us. The words, “if only”, so often come from our
lips. We follow our own ways and
fail. Then, if only we had listened. God
has seen this often in His children. Deut.32:29; Ps.81:13,14 Jesus sorrowed over Jerusalem
because Israel
had not listened. Lk.19:41,42
May we not sorrow over our
remorseful “if only”. Let us with
resolve trust in the Lord, find our delight in the Lord, commit our way unto
the Lord that we may rest in the
Lord. Life for a Christian does not
consist of possessions owned, success in the eyes of men, or anything that
confines us to this earthly life but in spiritual possessions and spiritual success. Rom.14:17;
Phil.4:7
No comments:
Post a Comment