Psalm 37
In this Psalm, King David gives some suggestions when we see that evildoers prosper and we suffer.
1. Don't Fret.
David knew that it is hard to avoid fretting. That's probably why the words, "Don't fret" are recorded three times in the first eight verses of Psalm 37. Fretting or worrying is a sin. It's a sin because God commands us not to do it.
We cannot control what thoughts enter our minds, but we can control which thoughts we dwell on.
When we experience worry, we should try to turn our worries into prayers. The best weapon against worry is trusting God. When we trust in God's person, plan, power, and love, then we really have nothing to worry about.
2 & 3. Trust in the Lord and do good.
These two steps are inseparable; neither can exist without the other. Faith and trust are a lifestyle, and they involve action.
To trust in someone is to believe in his or her reliability, ability or strength. When we believe in God, we are acknowledging that he can do everything that he promises to. His power is incomparable, and he is completely reliable.
Real faith always includes obedience, and obedience includes doing the "good" things God commands. That is why trusting God and doing good cannot be separated.
4. Delight yourself in the lord.
To delight in God is to find satisfaction, fulfillment, and peace from your communion with him. You can therefore only delight in God if we spend time in his presence. As we fellowship with him and get to know him better, we will enjoy spending time with him.
If we do not know God very well, it is only because we have not invested enough time in developing our relationship with God. God desires to have an intimate relationship with every one of his children. In fact, when we delight in God, we desire increase intimacy with God and God is happy to fulfill our desire for increased intimacy with Himself.
5. Commit your way to the Lord.
Committing everything to the Lord means rolling everything over to him, and handing all your heavy burdens to him to carry. God takes our burdens gladly because he has the strength to handle them. Let us commit our plans to the Lord, and leave their success in his hands.
Commitment is important and it means "to roll something onto something else." Casting your cares on God, rolling our burdens unto the Lord, that is what David means, when he tells us to commit our way to the Lord.
Committing our way to the Lord includes seeking God's presence, placing our problems in God's hands and then trusting God will and God's timing.
6. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him.
David is telling us to tell God about our problems and then to sit quietly with God. God gave us two ears and one mouth. We should listen twice as much as we talk, and this is especially true in our relationship with God. When we sit still and quiet in His presence, we do not fight against him. Instead, we are ready to hear from him, and importantly, obey him.
Let us take some time away to be still in His presence, and listen to what He has to say to you.
7. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath.
We all get angry. Scripture says that "'In your anger do not sin - Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry'" - Ephesians 4:26. Don't allow anger to lead us to do or say harmful things and let go of each day's anger, before going to bed at night. If we sincerely desire God to help us to obey these two commands, then we can ask for and receive God's help.
Let us pray to God to adhere to the seven steps to enjoying God and God's peace in the storms of life.