Do Good Part 1

This is an acrostic poem, meaning it has each letter of the Hebrew alphabet at the start of each new stanza.It is a wisdom Psalm.

Everyone has faith!

The question is: in what? A secondary question is:

How will faith be seen in life?

Maybe it is “what difference will your faith make?” The way we live shows our faith. Faith cannot be hidden, though it may be unspoken.

Does following Christ make a difference?

Psalm37 is asking a very similar question. Just put in the context of the Israel nation.

Psalm 37 is trying to teach us the answer.

David here is passing on the wisdom he has learned and this Psalm comes across almost like Proverbs.

Life is short.

Right at the outset, echoing words we heard weeks ago from Psalm 90 we are reminded of the brevity of life.

A long-term view is needed.

Because of life being short we must remember not to get so focused on the here and now. Man is this hard! I fail at remembering this. Even as I typed out this slide I felt convicted by some of my “issues” this past week and hours.

Trust God and do good.

Notice, maybe even highlight, circle or something of the like: faith in Christ will only make a difference when it shows up in us “doing” something. Specifically doing good. Our faith is not just a belief, this is the trust part of the verses 3 but when it is lived out. David is saying, Yes following God makes a difference. But only when it is active.

So what does do good look like?

Maybe I am the only one who wants to know the answer.

Enjoy the Lord!

Think about what this and the word “delight” another way of translating this Hebrew word evokes for you. Do you hear the passion of David coming through? Do sense the emotions?

Patiently waiting on God’s timing.

In this world we sometimes do not see the rewards of being a follower of Jesus. Sometime it may seem like the only way to get ahead is to be like everyone else.

Fear comes in many forms.

Notice the many ways David is indicating fear in life. Comparison, anger, envy, bitterness, and may I add another one which one commentator pointed out this week: trying to escape and using God as our “escape” from this world.

God gives peace.

This peace is more than just the absence of conflict. It is all encompassing.

God notices what happens.

As I have said many times, God is not distant and absent, though it feels like this at many times. Especially when being a follower of Jesus seems to get us no where.

Come today to Jesus.

Commit to Christ.

Be generous!

This is a direct out working of trusting in Jesus. As we realize how generous He has been to us we can do the same for others. It also keeps us thinking of the long-term and not just our present success or struggles.