Seven Promises from Psalm 37

Uncertainty still abounds in our media-driven world. COVID-19 is either the most deadly plague since the Bubonic, or its effects are being highly inflated for some unknown reason. This is only ONE reason we need to cling to the promises in the Bible.

This plague of misinformation and hyperbole from mainstream media and social media is one of the reasons I began the daily “Encouragement from the Psalms” posts on the church’s Facebook page. (If you don’t follow it, you can find it here.)

When everything else wobbles and offers hype rather than hope, we have an anchor. It’s been around for centuries and it never changes. This source of truth is called the Holy Bible, and it’s the Word of God, inspired by the Holy Ghost and written by various men God used as “scribes” (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21).

What does that mean for you and me? It means we can–and should–rely on God’s Word as our source of information.

As I was creating a week’s worth of memes and posts for the Facebook page, I read through Psalm 37. It’s one of my favorites. What I love most about it is the directness of its instruction in the first eight verses. Why don’t you read them now?

There are seven direct commands from the Lord given through the pen of King David.

1. Fret not thyself (this is found again later) because of evildoers and don’t envy workers of inquity (Psalm 37:1). What I adore about these directives is that God doesn’t just expect us to say, “Well, God said it. I might not understand WHY, but I’ll do it because He’s God.” Nope. God TELLS us why this is the BEST plan for us: Because they shall soon be cut down like grass and wither
2. Trust in God and do good (v. 2) Why? Because it will insure that you dwell securely and have food to eat.
3. Delight in the Lord (v.4). This is my favorite one because I LOVE the promise of this verse. If I delight in Him, He will give me the desires of my heart. Who doesn’t want that?
4. Commit your way to God (v.5) and trust Him (see a theme here?) Why? Because God shall bring your way to pass. Amen. (See also verse six for MORE promises attached to this directive.)
5. Rest in the Lord (v. 7) and wait patiently for Him. There isn’t a reason telling us why attached here, but who needs a reason to rest? Not me. As for waiting patiently? (See James 1:2-4 and 5:7-8.)
6. Fret not thyself because of those who prosper because of wickedness (v.7). God is clear that evildoers will be cut off (v.9) and that doesn’t sound like a good thing. Furthermore, those who’ve waited on God will inherit the earth (v.9). Which of those would YOU rather have? The choice is yours.
7. Cease from anger and forsake wrath (v.8) because in a little while the wicked will not be (v. 10). Folks, we should feel sorry for those who are making us angry because their future is bleak.

I hope you’ll take a few minutes out of your day to read the entire psalm. It has forty verses but there is so much goodness here, so much to encourage you during the upheaval that the world wants to thrust upon you.

The Lord is our strength in the time of trouble (Psalm 37:39) and He promises to help us and deliver us and save us (v. 40). All He asks in return is that we trust in Him.

Do you trust in the Lord?