Monday arrived as promised and I really had a nice weekend. That makes it much harder to say goodbye to Sunday and then embrace Monday. My coffee today that has me waiting for the pot to finish brewing is door county Peanut Butter Crunch. For the next couple of days instead on a devotional I have been led to teach a little. We will take a look at a portion of Psalm 37.
We have been hurt by others at one time or another. More often than not the hurt can and does turn into anger. God warns us of this and encourages us to take a Biblical approach to anger and hurt. I will add my comments in red between the verses. as a reminder, this will take two days.
A Psalm of David. Psalm 37:1-8
37 Do not fret because of evildoers,
This is where we all at times try to play God and handle the wrongs all by ourselves. If you find that interacting with people who hurt you has you physically tired, you are trying to manage this alone. Worrying and fretting over the behavior of others is tiring. Anger by itself is physically draining. We find ourselves instead of praying, telling God how to handle other people.
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
Envy often kicks in here when you see people prosper who are causing you grief. Notice these two commands do not allow for debate. God just plain says "Don't go there".
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.
God does not tolerate the wrong doings of others. But in His time He corrects them. Remember in His time. During the process of His timing He might be teaching you something. This is not always accomplished in the time frame we want.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Key word here TRUST. Do you trust God to keep His word? When His timing is right He moves. But God gives you something to do in verse three to carry you until His timing arrives. Trust Him and continue to do good, especially to those who are hurting you. Now dwelling in the land is God telling you to enjoy the blessings he has bestowed on you and not to coop up in self pity. Dwelling means to live and enjoy. You might want to sing praise choruses or hymns. Feeding on His faithfulness is where you pull out your Bible and read seeking comfort. Also feeding on His faithfulness is taking time to go back and remember all the times God has come though for you and others. I don't think people do this enough.
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
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.
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.
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.
We are going to stop here for today and will complete this tomorrow. In the meantime pray for one another. Love at all times. God loves you friends, and so do I.
Marty
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