Wednesday, April 20, 2016

A Redipe for Peace Amidst Life's Storms



(#73, Imperial, 1961)

Read Psalm 37:1-9.

The Psaltery is not a book of theory written by some philosopher that had never put his theory into practice, but the Psaltery is a book of truth that has grown out of the lifelong experience of the Psalmist and written under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

This Psalm of instruction is a Psalm of David, written when he was old (v25).  It is an exposition of some of the hardest chapters in the "book of Providence".

Fret not thyself, v1,7,8.
We may have lost our home, our job, our good name or our purse.  But fret not.  And why?  Because...
w   of particular mercy God has in store for the righteous (v9,16)
w   the Lord will take care of the wicked (v17).

Trust, v3.
Trust in the Lord instead of fretting.  The verse tells us to "do good", the evidence that we are trusting God in our trial.  The result will be contentment, dwelling in the land.

Delight, v4.
Find your joy and pleasure 'in the Lord' rather than in 'things' or circumstances.  Delight in His will.  Then the desires of our hearts will be satisfied.

Commit, v5.
Literally, 'roll your way to the Lord'.  Turn your affairs over to God and He will bring things to pass.

Rest in the Lord, v7.
When you have turned everything over to Him, rest in Him.  Don't continue struggling and working to bring things to pass.  (Phil. 4:6,7; Isa. 26:3).

Wait, v9.
Wait until God moves.  Don't pace the floor or push the door. 
When I cannot understand my Father's leading,
And it seems to be but hard and cruel fate,
Still I hear that gentle whisper ever pleading,
God's faithful, God's working - only WAIT. (A.B.Simpson)

Worry is foolish: it does no good, unfits us to think clearly, and only annoys others.

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