Passage: Psalm 37
The Big Idea
“Do not fret because of evildoers.” Psalm 37 is wisdom for when the wicked seem to win. Instead of fretting or envying, trust the Lord, delight in Him, commit your way to Him, rest in Him and wait. The meek will inherit the earth. And even when we stumble, the Lord upholds us with His hand.
Reflections
Do not fret (vv. 1-2). Fretting and envy are two wrong responses to evil people. At the root is a lack of faith. My God sees, and my God will deliver. The wicked will wither like grass.
Trust in the Lord, and do good (v. 3). Faith comes before good works; it’s their source. Dwell in the land: abide where God has put you. Don’t run out to make a name for yourself. Feed on His faithfulness: don’t consume what the world offers. Learn to depend on Jesus’ provision. I don’t need to find my own way or fix every problem. I want to feed on Your faithfulness like a sheep on grass: chew on it, marvel at it, be nourished by it.
Delight yourself also in the Lord (v. 4). Worship with joy. Be captivated by Him. Turn to Him in bad times and good. Taste and see. Dive in. Don’t let anything come between you. Treasure your time with Him. Pour out your perfume on Him, like Mary (John 12:3). He’s worth everything. You’ll spend your life on something; it might as well be on the One who deserves it. And He delights in you!
He shall give you the desires of your heart. Either He’ll give you what will truly make your heart happy, or He’ll transform your heart to want what He knows is best. I must never work for these desires. I need to wait for them to be given. “Give” is the language of grace.
Commit your way to the Lord (vv. 5-6). Let Him hold it. Don’t grab it back in pride. Surrender it completely. Trust also in Him: however much I trusted Him yesterday, I need to trust Him more today. He shall bring it to pass. Whatever needs to happen, He’ll accomplish, not me. He’ll bring forth your righteousness like the noonday sun, as a gift.
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him (vv. 7-9). How does this happen? I rest. I stop striving to make things right myself. I don’t fret, especially about those who seem to prove God’s way wrong. It won’t last. Don’t even get angry. Those who wait on the Lord shall inherit the earth.
The meek shall inherit the earth (vv. 10-11). Humility will be rewarded, however it looks now, with abundant peace. Jesus repeated this promise (Matthew 5:5). Lord, I want to grow in humility.
The Lord laughs at him (vv. 12-15). The wicked plot, but the Lord sees their day coming. Their plans will backfire.
A little that a righteous man has (vv. 16-22). Lord, bless me with a righteous heart in all my ways and possessions. Forgive my wickedness. Break the arm of flesh I lean on, and uphold me Yourself. I repent. Why do I fall so often and turn away from You? Sometimes it feels like I lose my inheritance, though I know that’s not true. Help me be led by faith, not feelings. Give me a heart to love and reach the wicked, and an unselfish heart like Yours.
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord (vv. 23-24). Lord, my life is Yours. Show me each step that makes You glad. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand. I fall daily, yet in love You don’t cast me down. You uphold me when I don’t deserve it, to teach me humility and faith and plant Your love deep in me.
I have not seen the righteous forsaken (vv. 25-26). You provide all I need, and by Your grace You make me able to give and be merciful.
Depart from evil, and do good (vv. 27-31). Turn from evil and toward Jesus. Abide in His goodness and sufficiency. You love to change me, justify me and protect me, and You love my family just as much. You plant Your law in my heart; that’s the New Covenant at work (Jeremiah 31:33). It changes how I talk: Your love and works become my favorite subject.
Wait on the Lord, and keep His way (vv. 32-36). God judges rightly. I’ve been wicked, but I believe You’ve made me righteous, not by my actions but by faith alone. I’m putting my hope in You right now. I don’t need honor; I want peace. I need You to give me the land; I can’t win it myself. Help me see with patience and wisdom, not just in the moment, because You change things in Your own way.
Mark the blameless man… the future of that man is peace (vv. 37-40). I want that peace. Make me honest and good, Jesus. Sometimes I fear I’m too rebellious to have a future. But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. I simply believe I’m counted righteous because of Your cross and blood. Help me today, shelter me and save me, because I trust in You.
Grace Takeaway
Stop fretting. Delight in Him, commit your way to Him, rest in Him and wait. And when you stumble, remember: He holds your hand.
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