February 20, 2011

Psalm 37:1-22 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:
Matthew 17:14-27, Acts 25:13-27, Leviticus 1-4

Journal Entry

Scripture

1 Fret not yourself because of evildoers;
   be not envious of wrongdoers!
2 For they will soon fade like the grass
   and wither like the green herb.
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good;
 dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.

4 Delight yourself in the LORD,
 and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD;
 trust in him, and he will act.

6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
 and your justice as the noonday.
7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
 fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
 over the man who carries out evil devices!
8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
  Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.

9 For the evildoers shall be cut off,
 but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.

Observation

As the title (ESV version) to this chapter states, David reminds us that God will not forget his sons and daughters. There is no need to be jealous of wrongdoers even when they may live in abundance because they will soon fade and be no more. God’s people have an eternal place in the Lord, an abundant life indeed. “Those who wait for the Lord,” and those who are “meek” “shall inherit the land.” Thus we are reminded that living by the standards of the this world, albeit prosperous as it may be, is short-lived and we must place our hope, trust and love in what is eternal.

Application

Why settle for gifts when you can have the GIVER?

I was reminded of truth recently and I think verse 4 reflects this - Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. When I truly delight myself in the Giver, then I will be most satisfied because I am doing what I was created to be - in close communion with God. I know that something is not right and particularly unsatisfying when I pursue the gifts over the Giver. Interestingly, not only am I most satisfied when my heart’s true and only desire is to be in relationship with Him, but this is when I am able to give to others and make a difference in this world. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. This is what I should strive for.

Prayer

Lord, please forgive me for being callous to your love so often. In this state I am so self-absorbed and bloodthirsty for security that the world offers. Please transform my heart to know that true delight, joy and ultimate satisfaction comes in relationship with You. And it is only when I am walking closely with you that I can make a difference in this world by loving the poor, the brokenhearted and lost as You love me.

--jyim