Read chapter in full: www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Psalms+037
Psalm 37 (ESV)
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.
10 In just a little while, the wicked will be no more;
though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.
11 But the meek shall inherit the land
and delight themselves in abundant peace.
REFLECTION:
- We often think: “Do good and prosper, ignore God and fail.” But this often doesn’t work, and we wonder why good things happen to bad people. The psalmist says not to worry about it. God will take care of them soon enough.
- Instead of fretting, we should trust, even “delight” in God who will protect and provide generously for those who do.
- What do you secretly want to see happen to those who do evil and enjoy momentary success? How would their success and your reaction to it make you feel about God, about yourself and those people? Are you focused on success here in this world, or on storing up treasures in heaven?
- Talk with God and tell Him your emotions right now. Then listen to God’s response.
PRAYER:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what He wants to tell you. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in your spiritual journal.
HYMN:
Wait Patiently – www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbGruMKwi7M
