I was feeling rather down this morning, so I asked God to give me some sign of hope. I was lead to Psalms 37...this chapter has been a comfort and hope for me and I hope it will bring comfort to someone who is down or sees no point of hope...Just remember...through every storm and valley of life, Jesus is walking right there beside us...strengthening and guiding us the whole way.
(my thoughts are in blue)
1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
(vs. 1-2) It seems sometimes that the people who sin are the ones prospering and living their lives like nothing is wrong. These verses, though, show that the evil doers will be brought down because of what they are doing.
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
These verses (vs. 4-5) are some of my favorites. If we delight ourselves in God and trust in what he say....if we commit our hearts and souls to God and follow His commands, then He will give us our hearts' desires. My heart's desire has always been to be a wife and a mother - to have my own family. I believe that God will grant me this, because I live my life for Him. My wish is not petty nor materialistic. It goes beyond the here and now. I believe we have to watch what we ask God for. Are material wealth and petty wants really the deep desires of our hearts? We should be like King Solomon. God told Him King Solomon that He (God) would grant him anything the king desired. Now King Solomon could have asked for great wealth and power, but he didn't. His heart's desire was wisdom and knowledge so he could be the king he needed to be. And guess what? God not only gave him what he requested, but since King Solomon was careful and thoughtful for what he wanted, God also granted him with great wealth and power. So, before you pray and ask God for something, search your hearts deep and make sure of what you are asking.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
(vs.7) Don't worry about those evil people who are prospering. Don't think about all they have done---how it's not fair that they are living theirs lives with no thought but to themselves; and you are hurting and struggling. Be patient and calm your troubled soul. Don't jump to drastic measures, just wait patiently on God to handle things. And you'll realize that God was right beside you the whole time. He was just waiting for you to step aside and let Him work His miracles.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
(vs.8) Now there is a distinct difference between unnecessary anger and righteous indignation. Being angry because you see wrong being done is not a bad thing. Even Jesus got angry and tore up the temple because the people had turned God's house into "a den of thieves". On the other hand, getting mad because things don't go your way, or because you can't keep up with the Jones's...these are not logical or biblical reasons for getting upset. And whatever you do...don't put actions to your anger. Ephesians 4:26 says: "Be ye angry and sin not..." It's the same with temptations....its not wrong that we are tempted (sometimes we can't help it)...but it is wrong to put actions to those thoughts and to give in to the temptations.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
(vs.9) Again, a warning for those who are sinning. Your days are numbered. You will be cut down. Again, a hope for those who live in God. You will be brought up. The earth is yours.
10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.
(vs.13) Ah, a new twist. Not only will the God cut the evildoers down like dry grass, but He is also going to laugh at them. God knows what's coming, and He has done everything to try and turn people back to Him. He even sent His only son to redeem us. But there are still some people out there who are just too stupid to accept such a wonderful gift. Yes I said stupid. Those who reject God and turn away from His love are just plain STUPID. So, God laughs because He put it so plainly and still people don't get it.
14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
I don't know why we Christians worry so much about people who are doing wrong and seeming to get by with it. Just in this chapter alone, we see that they won't prosper for long. And here in verses 14-15 we see that the plots and schemes of evildoers will backfire. Not only will they be stopped, but their evil plans will "blow up in their faces". All because they chose to reject God and follow Satan. I would hate to be them.
16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
(vs.16) It's better to live in God's word and have little material wealth than to live in sin and wickedness and be the wealthiest person alive.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.
(vs.17) And we see here why tis better to live in God than to live in sin.
18 The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
(vs.18)Ah what a peaceful thought indeed. To live forever in the presence of our Lord and Creator.
19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
(vs.19) Here is another assurance that God is always with His people. God will not let us be put to shame for believing in Him and He will make sure we are well nourished in tough times.
20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.
(vs.20) Quite the opposite for those who do not follow God. They will perish.
21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.
22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
(vs.23-24) God is always beside us, guiding our way...making sure we are not defeated if we fall. He is always there to pick us up. All we have to do if clasp His outstretched hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
(vs.25) Another one of my favorites. God will never forsake or leave us and He will never let us go without the things we need to live. NEVER NEVER NEVER. It may seem like things are getting hard, but just stop and think. You still have the necessities. God will always care for His children.
26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
(vs.26) God gives to us and blesses us more than we will ever know. His mercy endures forever.
27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
28 For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
(vs.27-28) If we renounce our old ways and follow God then we will live forever. But if we do not, then we will be cut down.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
(vs.30) If we are true Christians, then we will want to speak only good and pure things. We will speak only truth and we will not speak in a vile manner.
31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
33 The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.
(vs.40) If we trust in God and hold firm to His promises, then God will save us from harm, he will help us when we need help, he will lift us up when we are down....what a blessing this truly is....The One who created the universe will help me...a lowly human not worthy of such a blessing. God will do these wonders for us, though, if we only believe.
Thank you Lord for You promises and blessings. Help me to stay on the path You have made for me. Guide my steps through every moment of my life.
Praise God in times of joy and in times of distress......Praise God every moment of your life...God likes to hear praises come not only from our hearts...but also from our lips.
Let us always be thankful for what the Lord is doing. No matter what is going on around us. He will see us through.
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