February 20, 2015 – Friday

Start Time: 6:01 AM

End Time:  7:19 AM

Title: Of David.

Scripture: Psalm 37:1 – 40

God’s Message / God’s Promise / God’s Commands:

→ David gave great advises in this chapter that we all can learn from when we are in distress or panic mode.  David started by saying "Do not fret because of those who are evil or envious of those who do wrong."  So the teaching again goes to us.  Even if there are evil people against us, David's advice first and foremost is a change that we ought to do in ourselves.  He said, "Do not fret!" or in other words "do not be afraid, or worry, or panic, etc."  So everything starts within us.  The decision to stop being afraid of our enemies comes first even if they seem to be really scary or even if it seems like they are still going to do what they evil things they said they will do.  The key again, as per David, is not to fret!  So when we do this, we are already taking the first step to our redemption.  I know that the decision to not be afraid is not easy, especially when things are really going south.  That's why David gave us a reason not to anymore.  He said in verse 2, those who do evil will soon wither like grass, they will die away like green plants.  So we get comfort from the truth that these evil or wicked people doing evil things against us will soon go away.  In short, be comforted with the thought that all our problems will pass soon!  Hallelujah!  This is what David is telling us in the 1st 2 verses of this chapter.  Do not be afraid of evil/problems for they soon will pass.  Amen!

David knew that the decision to not be afraid is not going to be easy.  Once you made the decision it is a commitment that you have to follow thru no matter what your circumstances or situation is.  That's why he continued on by telling us what we need to do in the process of not fearing our enemies/problems.  He gave us instructions so we can stop being afraid of the things we are afraid of that is not of God. 

1) Trust in the Lord and do good - Now David did not say just trust in the Lord...he said trust in the Lord and do good!  In addition to that, we are to dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  Amazing!  So when we trust in God - this comes with action so again faith and action paired together.  Trust in the Lord is faith and doing good is the action.  The result of that is we dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  So we dwell on earth with the assurance of safety.  Thank You Lord!

2) Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him - Again faith and action.  Committing your way to God is the fruit of Your faith, which is trusting Him.  So not only do we do good but we also commit our ways to Him but in all of these, it is important that we trust Him at all times!  The result, God will make your righteous reward shine like dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.  So God will restore and vindicate us in public so all people will know we are innocent.  Hallelujah!

3) Be still before the Lord and wait patiently - now Being still and waiting before God are both action and faith.  Waiting is an act of faith, the same as being still before God, especially in difficult times.  In a time like we have now, where people are busy all the time.  Waiting and being still seems to be an inconvenience and a waste of time but God said wait and be still before Me.  Now that takes faith!  The result, we will build our faith in Him that we will no longer be afraid when people  (evil) succeed in their ways.  There will be peace in us that no matter how successful our enemies are in their plans, peace rules our hearts!

4) Refrain from anger and turn from wrath but hope in the Lord - We ought to keep our anger away and hope in God in situations that are wrath worthy for God will take care of the situation.  In short, we are to humble down and make peace even if our enemies provoke us to fight back.

The question now is we able to do this? 

David from verse 10, declared the fate of the evil ones.  He spoke of them being no more, not being found but the meek/humble will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.  God spoke of the wicked's plans but God just laughs at them for He knows their day is coming.  God spoke of the wicked tries to fight but they will die from their own swords.  Clearly, God has declared the defeat of the enemies, in connection to His word in the New Testament that we are more than conqueror because we no longer have to conquer for God has conquered them for us.  Amazing!

God also made sure that we understand that if the wicked will suffer, the righteous will experience the opposite.  So even if we feel we are treated unjustly or we are mistreated in any way, do not fret or angry, God will take care of you and those wicked who speaks or does ill towards you. 

Wow! verse 16 said, "Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken but the Lord upholds the righteous."  - Can we truly say this today?  I am amazed that God revealed this truth to me because many people today don't consider life or being alive as a blessing anymore.  Many even believe that it is better to die than live in disastrous times.  But they failed to see that being alive in a disastrous time is already a blessing!  It is already a miracle! for God said in verse 19, "in times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty." - So God's blessings and protection and word in times of disasters in our midst has been turned into a lie by the devil to some people.  The devil made the people believe that it is better to die than to be alive in a difficult time - but this is CLEARLY a LIE! Because God has planned to keep us safe and alive in a difficult time and that is one of HIS BLESSINGS!  But people don't see it that way anymore.  We see it more of a curse to be alive in a time of hardship when in fact; it is a miracle and God's work!  What a revelation Lord!  Thank You!

God also pointed out in verse 21 that the wicked borrow and do not repay but the righteous give generously!  Now, let's look into this deeper.  I know many people have conflicts because of money.  Christians against Christians because they feel like the righteous should know when to pay back but the truth is, the Lord never spoke of the righteous returning the money they owed back in the Bible.  In fact, He spoke of freeing them from their debts and the righteous giving generously. Wow! 

In verse 23, David wrote that the Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him and note that in verse 24, David said, though he may stumble, he will not fall for the Lord upholds him with His hand!  Wow!  Thank You Lord.  So our steps are made firm by the Lord but note that this is not just any steps we take... but it's the steps we take when we delight in God.  So it boils down to intention of the steps we take.  So do we take this step as one who delights in God or one who pursues our own selfish desire? 

Amazing in verse 25, David gave a testimony!  One that is based in his own experience!  David said, I was young and no I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread!  Woohoo!!! Thank You Jesus!  But take note, that the keyword in this context is "Righteous"  - we can take hold of this truth and stand on it when we live by it!  But if we are not, what's our right to say ill before God and accuse Him of lying when the truth is, we are the ones who failed in living up to the word He has spoken!  Wow Lord, these are great words of wisdom!  To top it all, the best part is that Jesus is our Righteousness!  So to be Righteous, all we need is JESUS!  That's why, no way should we let go of Jesus in our lives - instead, we ought to make HIM one with us at all times because HE is our righteousness and if we want that we will not be forsaken or that our children will be begging for bread or that we become a blessing to others, then hold on to JESUS at all times!

David continued on by telling us to turn away from evil and do good so that we can dwell in the land forever.  For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake His faithful ones!  Hallelujah!  The wrongdoers will be completely destroyed and their offspring will perish.

In this chapter, David differentiate the righteous from the wicked and we ought to see the difference clearly; from the use of their mouths to their behaviors.  But at all times, the Lord is always on the side of the Righteous and when I speak of the Righteous - these are the people with Jesus in them for Jesus is our Righteousness!

David made a conclusion for us all, he said in verse 34, Hope in the Lord and keep His way. Now this is our path to righteousness.  To put our trust and hope in God and keep His ways!  In today's generation, we are to Hope and trust Jesus and Keep His ways in our hearts.  Jesus came to save the lost and we ought to keep His ways.  Jesus came to heal the sick and we are to keep His ways; Jesus came to preach the gospel and cast away demons, we are to keep His ways!  Before Jesus left, HE instructed one thing, to go and preach the gospel and make disciples, baptizing them and teaching them the ways of the Lord - we OUGHT to KEEP HIS WAYS! Hallelujah!

David said that he has seen a wicked and ruthless man flourish yet he passed away too.  So you may be in a time where your troubles are flourishing and consuming you, the good news is, it will soon passed away :)

David said to observe the upright for a future awaits those who seek peace like them - and who is more upright than Jesus?  So let us observe His ways by reading His words and keeping them.  Truly our salvation comes from God; He is our stronghold in time of troubles; HE will help us and deliver us from the wicked because we take refuge in Him!  Hallelujah!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I am greatly amazed of the wisdom You showed me today!  There's just so many that I need to internalize them one by one.  Lord thank You for giving me the opportunity to know and see these words in Your eyes!  Lord help me to apply them and share them to the people who needed it most.  Help me Lord to use this knowledge in the way You want me to.  But more importantly Lord, help in applying these truths in my life.  I take refuge in You just as David once did.  Help me to keep Jesus' ways in me so I may represent Him in the world.  Thank You Jesus for my salvation and for the gift of righteousness!  In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen!