Imprisoned for helping Jews to escape from Nazi persecution, Corrie Ten Boom (CTB) knew more than most (of us) about how to experience the peace of God even in the worst storms of life. CTB has written down many of her experiences.
A favourite quote of hers is:-
“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed; if you look within, you’ll be depressed; if you look at God, you’ll be at rest...”
What good advice – and a good summary of Psalm 37...
David (whose words these are) is now an old man (v25), looking back on his life and sharing some of the lessons he has learned in the world and in his walk with God. We know it wasn’t all plain-sailing for King David – some of his actions were foolish and some downright sinful...
He isn’t addressing God in praise – he is addressing younger people starting out in life. He is, in fact, delivering a sermon about some of the fundamental (universal) truths of life.
DO NOT FRET: so important that David says it 3 times. Lit “don’t lose sleep” (get hot under the collar) at the apparent success of the wicked;
Don’t be envious of people who have land, power and wealth, and those who’ve gone to any lengths to obtain them. Don’t copy them! Everywhere you look, people scheme and steal; you pay your taxes; they take; you give generously...
The world is full of wicked people. But they will not succeed in their schemes (v7b); you might not be laughing now but God laughs at them (v13); as Jesus told Peter, “live by the sword, that’s the way you’ll die...” (v15)
Whether it’s Pharaoh or Kaddafi or Putin or Trump the wicked and ruthless will perish. They will not get away with it. There are only 2 ways:
There is no rest for the wicked. There is a future only for the man of peace (v37)
Do not fret about any of this. We hear the sound of Jesus’ words – do not worry...
“Worry does not empty today of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength...” (CTB)
DO NOT BE ANGRY: like fretting and envy anger is dangerous. Unchecked it can lead us into the very wickedness we see all around us. We have all been angry and it gets us nowhere. Angry words can have terrible consequences – like a bullet fired from a gun, they cannot be taken back...
It is not the angry but the gentle (meek) who will inherit the land...
People often say the Bible is full of “don’ts” and, in part, that’s true – but there are probably more do’s than don’ts – at least in this Psalm...
DO Trust in the Lord and - do good;
DO Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Even if you should fall along the way,23The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; 24 though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
While others are trusting in their money we are reminded that God will meet all our everyday human concerns. You’ll sleep so much better!
DO Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
While others are doing bad things you are to trust in the Lord
DO Be still before the Lord and (DO) wait patiently for him;
DO Hope in the Lord and keep his way.
When push comes to shove the old man concludes,
“If you live with a trust in God to lead you - that will see you okay; you may not be rich or famous or successful according to the world and you may have to live with pain and uncertainty but the Lord has great things in store for you...”
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
33 But DO seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe (TRUST) in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
So, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God...” (CTB)
MFR (2019)
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