Psalm 37 - part 1
Wisdom
for life
Intro
√ The wisdom of the aged…
Ps. 27:25 I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.
This psalm shares the wisdom of an old man who had walked with the Lord a long time.
He had battled with evil men and knew firsthand the frustration of seeing the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer.
As he looks back on his life he gives us some wise counsel to keep us from fretting (worrying and complaining) when things are not going the way that we want them to.
Ap. Ask for and listen to Godly counsel!
Look to the older saints for wisdom!
If you're going into business, seek out Godly counsel from those who have already walked that path.
If you're raising a family, seek out Godly counsel from those who have already raised their family.
If you're considering spending a bunch of money, get Godly counsel from those who deal with money for a living.
The Lord has blessed us with mature saints that can serve as a wonderful resource if we seek them out and listen!
Ex. Teens and young people
Somehow operate under the false impression that they are the first person in the history of the world to deal with some issue in life. J
Trust the Lord (vs. 1-8}
Ps. 37:1 Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
Ps. 37:2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb.
√ The dilemma of the wicked
Once again we find David addressing the dilemma of the wicked.
Dilemma defined:
1. A situation that requires a choice between options that are or seem equally unfavorable or mutually exclusive.
2. A problem that seems to defy a satisfactory solution.
In this case…
…why does it seem like the bad guys always come out on top and the good guys get trampled?!
The dilemma; if God is good and is watching over His children…
…how come it seems like the bad guys always win!?
Great question and one that we find addressed over and over again in the Bible.
Ex. Job, psalm 49 & psalm 73
David's answer echo's the theme we find throughout the scripture and that is that we should focus on the end of the game of life…
…not on the daily battles.
Ex. "It's not over till its over!"
In any sport the only score that matters is the one posted at the end of the game!
Doesn't matter how many points the enemy scores during the game, or how well he plays the game…
…what matters is who has the most points at the end of the game!
So, we find God often addressing this question because while we may know it to be true - its easy to forget in the midst of life's battles.
Note David's advise.
√ Don't!
Ps. 37:1 Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
Ps. 37:2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb.
Don't fret (worry) & don't be envious over the wicked! Why?
Because they only temporary success!
If we're walking by faith and not by sight then we'll discover it is easy to keep God's perspective and not worry about how it seems that the wicked are prospering.
God's word has promised that He will bring justice to pass on our behalf and that the wicked will be judged.
We simply need to believe that God will do what He's promised to do in His time.
√ "I can't sit still!"
While most of us realize the truth of David's advise many of us have a hard time waiting for God to do His thing. You may be one of those people who is saying…
"What do I do in the mean time!"
That is, while I'm waiting for God and watching the wicked prosper what can I do to keep my mind off of this dilemma!
Note, David gives us a whole list of things to do while we're waiting on the Lord!
√ Do!
Ps. 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Ps. 37:4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Ps. 37:5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.
Ps. 37:6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday.
Ps. 37:7 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.
Ps. 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret--it only causes harm.
Trust in the Lord:
Believe what God says in His Word because that is where you find reality!
We're called to…
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." - 2 Cor. 5:7
Don't get hung up on what you see now, faith (trust) looks ahead to what will be!
Dwell in the land:
That is, stay in the Promised Land. Don't let worry lead you like Abraham back to Egypt. Rather, "blossom where you're planted."
So often we think the first solution is to move, to change jobs, to leave a relationship, etc.
But, more often than not God's plan is to bless you right in the midst of the battlefield!
Feed on His
faithfulness:
Study the Bible and feed on the accounts of how God proved Himself faithful to the saints throughout the ages. You'll find your faith strengthened as you feed on His word which records His faithfulness to His people.
Review (and record!) how God has proven Himself faithful in your own experience!
Delight yourself in
the Lord:
Spend time enjoying the Lord! Worship Jesus, think on His wonderful nature and character and all that He is.
As you do you will find that in the light of His presence and love that those things of which you were worried will become insignificant.
Commit your way to
the Lord:
Commit your hopes and dreams to the Lord. Often we get worried because we see some dream of ours being crushed by the wicked.
However, when you commit these things to the Lord you'll discover that God will do one of two things…
…bring it about in such an awesome way that no one could deny the Lord did it. Or, He will change your desires (hopes and dreams) to match His plans which are even better!
Rest in the Lord:
Restlessness is a sign of unbelief!
Faith rests in the Lord recognizing that most of what we worry about are things of which we have no power to change!
Do what the Lord has called you to do leave the rest for Him!
Wait for Him:
While you're waiting on the Lord focus on what you are waiting for - the inheritance God has for you!
The whole earth
An eternal reward
Justice
Provision for this life and eternity
That He might establish your way
Uphold you and exalt your above the wicked
Ever lasting peace
Remember, all that the wicked have is temporary - they can't take it with them!
Ap. Waiting for the Lord
Martin Luther translates the Hebrew…
Ps. 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him…
"Be silent to God and let Him mold thee. Keep still and He will mold thee to the right shape."
Remember, God may be waiting to answer your prayer regarding the wicked person in your life so that He can strengthen your faith and patience! (James 1:2-8)
He has a plan for our lives and may be using a difficult person to prepare us (mold us) for that plan!
Ex. Joseph's brothers
Ap. The desires of your heart
Often times we think that we can only ask God for the "needs" in our life. Yet here in vs. 4 we find that it is in God's heart to also grant us the "desires of our heart".
Ex. A godly spouse!
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