Scripture:
Psalms 37:1-11 NKJV
[1] Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. [2] For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. [3] Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. [4] Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. [5] Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. [6] He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. [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. [8] Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm. [9] For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth. [10] For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; Indeed, you will look carefully for his place, But it shall be no more. [11] But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
Observation:
I don’t think it has been too long ago that the Holy Spirit brought me to this scripture, but as I was looking through the word this morning this is where my eyes were fixed. Once I started reading it was easy to understand why. You see the LORD has a wonderful way of dealing with us. HIS word is alive and the way HE places exactly what we need to hear right in front of us right when we need it is nothing short of astonishing to me. As King David’s life grew to an old age. He found himself thinking back over how things had happened. All the injustice he had not only seen but had to face as well. As he reflected on those moments, I’m sure it was a little difficult not to allow himself to become angry. After being hunted like an animal for doing the right thing. If you know anything about his story, you know that he operated with the utmost integrity when it came to how he approached the situation with King Saul. Yet the fire that burned in Saul would not let him rest until David had paid the price. After years of service to the king he became public enemy number one over something the people said upon his return from battle. I think the statement went something like, “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” The jealousy that rose up in Saul that day hunted him until it took over, and David became a threat in his own mind. As king David looked back over those moments he began to worship GOD by writing this Psalm. So let’s take a look at what the LORD wants us to know here. As David looks at the situations, I’m sure his heart was somewhat troubled, but his desire was to honor the LORD in the way he handled his emotions. The word fret is a word that we zeroed in on last time we looked at this psalm, and honestly I feel like it’s important to take a look at, because it’s something that David is telling us not to do. The word itself is pretty self explanatory, but i want it in front of us so that there is no misunderstanding. Its common meaning is to worry, feel anxious, or be upset about something. So I believe what David is saying is don’t let the things that evildoers do, rent space in your heart. As he continues to worship the LORD he explains the reason why. It’s short lived. What he is saying is it may look like they are getting somewhere but it’s only for a minute. It will all be short lived. Knowing exactly who GOD is and the goodness and mercy that he had been shown over the years of his life, He could do nothing more than trust HIM, and do good, he had experienced the faithfulness and that brought him delight as he continued to reflect. You see David knew from the time he was a young shepherd boy in the field that GOD had anointed him to be right where he was. I picture him running back through the memories from that day in the field with Samuel to this moment of reflection. Seeing how the LORD had done everything that HE said HE would, as David committed his ways to the LORD and watched the desires of his heart be fulfilled, and why? Because they were in line with the desires of GOD’S heart. David didn’t have to worry about anything. As his sin was brought to him he had dealt with it, in fact that’s what the book of psalms is, or at least most of them. Its king David dealing directly with GOD over the sin that was brought to him. That’s what he is doing in this Psalm here. He is dealing with his heart. Reminding himself that the LORD is in control. All that needed to be done was wait on the LORD. He had seen this so many times in his own life. Never raising a hand to strike down Saul, despite the numerous opportunities. He allowed GOD to do what HE was going to do, knowing the promises that had been given to him, you see there is one more word that I believe we should dive into. We find it in the last verse in today’s SOAP, let’s take a look, “ But the “MEEK” shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Meekness is not weakness. The word means power under control. It’s not that David was not strong enough to do anything about the injustice. He had opportunities. He just knew it was up to GOD to do exactly what HE said HE would and he left it up to him.
Application:
Anyone that tells you this life will be easy, and that it’s all going to be fluffy clouds and rainbows, is not telling you the truth. Over the years I have seen and been a part of a lot of injustice. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying I didn’t deserve a lot of the things that happened in my life, but there are some that were not of my doing. Evildoers do evil, that’s just how it is, and honestly it will look like it has brought them good things, but it’s only temporary. What I want us to understand from today is, GOD sees you, HE sees how things have happened and HE knows your part and theirs. We can’t allow our hearts to grow bitter, or continue to just live in that injustice. It happened and that can’t be changed. All we can do is wait to see the plan that GOD has for it. Believe me when I tell you…. Nothing happens in HIS world that HE is not aware of, or that HE is not going to use for good. Sure it hurts but GOD’S plan is bigger than your pain, and Romans chapter 8 and verse 28 brings purpose to your pain. I speak from a plethora of experience. I have been through a lot due to those who do evil. Again I’m not saying that I didn’t bring some of it on. Just like King David I have made my share of mistakes, the LORD and I have dealt with those. But what I am saying is it’s not up to me to do anything about it…. It’s not up to you to do anything about it. All that has to be left to GOD, HE knows exactly what HE is doing. Taking those matters into our own hands will only bring repercussions into our lives that were not necessary. Leaving our lives to GOD’S control is our only hope. HE knows how to deal with it, and the results that only HE can bring from it. As we practice Meekness we get to see HIM do what only HE can do. Sure we have the ability to make people pay for their mistakes. But HE has the ability to teach us how to allow HIM to bring about the change of heart that is needed. We are not responsible for the injustice that has happened to us but we are responsible for how we react to it. Allowing the LORD to deal with it in HIS time will bring HIM the glory that only HE can bring out of a bad situation. Just bring it all to the altar. Tie it there with bow strings and leave it to HIM. Watch HIS plan unfold, and have peace in the process.
Prayer:
Father, you have such a beautiful way of dealing with us, if we would just leave it up to you. Your ways are not our ways and your thoughts are not our thoughts. The results you told us would happen…. Will if we can just keep ourselves out of the way. Help us to take our hands off of our lives. You created us, you know how to deal with us. Today we sit here looking up in awe and amazement of how you know us better than we know ourselves. We release our control or the illusion of control that we had to you. You know our faults and the faults of all involved. You see all and know all. You are the only one who can bring about your promises. You don’t need our help. All you want is our hearts so help us to present them in a manner worthy of your desires for them. As we worship you and focus on you take the hearts of stone and turn them into hearts of flesh. We just want to see you move as we move out of the way. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.