“Where to Look When Life Isn’t Fair”

The New Bible Commentary Psalm 37. An ABC for Personal Spiritual Conflict

the often agonizing tension in the life of faith prompted by the contrasting fortunes on earth of the ‘righteous’—those who would live out their relationship of being ‘right with God’—and the ‘wicked’, the practical atheist for whom God may exist but only as an irrelevance

The New Bible Commentary Psalm 37. An ABC for Personal Spiritual Conflict

The wicked plot (12), The wicked borrow (21), The wicked lie (32).

The New Bible Commentary Psalm 37. An ABC for Personal Spiritual Conflict

The scene is set by noting that there are different approaches to life

The New Bible Commentary Psalm 37. An ABC for Personal Spiritual Conflict

those who would do good are often vexed by life and tempted to envy (1), to get agitated about it (8) and to wonder if there is any substance in talk of the meek inheriting the earth (9, 11)

The New Bible Commentary Psalm 37. An ABC for Personal Spiritual Conflict

The response is commanded of calmness and contentment (1, 7, 8), trust and moral commitment (3, 5), quiet patience (7), and confidence in the outcome (10, 11).

fret - to burn, to become hot, angry, get excited, burning sensation in the throat from rage; 3x : vv1, 7, 8

envious (v1) - jealous, annoyed, have a feeling of ill will based upon a perceived advantage to the point of being tormented by the sight of that person

delight (v4) - lit: delicate, effeminate, soft; to pamper or refresh oneself; take pleasure in; to be weak around

commit (v5) - act in a manner that is earnest/eager to a principle or person; lit: galal - to roll up or to wallow

rest (v7) - be quiet, still

cease (v8) - relax, release, let it go

“How I Got Over” series

You gave me verses / portions of Scripture that the Holy Spirit was using to help you get through this strange time we find ourselves in.

There is an overcoming power that is available to believers:

Revelation 12:11

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

We have to tell / testify / talk about how the power of our God in order to continue to help us overcome, get thru, & operate in victory!

In light of this latest murder of Jacob Blake, in front of 3 of his children, & all the other fallout from this week’s political drama, I want to talk about

“Where to Look When Life Isn’t Fair”

Psalm 37:1-8

New Living Translation Psalm 37

1 Don’t worry about the wicked

or envy those who do wrong.

2 For like grass, they soon fade away.

Like spring flowers, they soon wither.

3 Trust in the LORD and do good.

Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.

4 Take delight in the LORD,

and he will give you your heart’s desires.

5 Commit everything you do to the LORD.

Trust him, and he will help you.

6 He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn,

and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.

7 Be still in the presence of the LORD,

and wait patiently for him to act.

Don’t worry about evil people who prosper

or fret about their wicked schemes.

8 Stop being angry!

Turn from your rage!

Do not lose your temper—

it only leads to harm.

This psalm deals with the “agonizing tension” in the life of faith

The scene is set by noting that there are 2 different approaches to life:

the contrasting fortunes on earth of the ‘righteous’—

those who would live out their relationship of being ‘right with God’

and the ‘wicked’,

the practical atheist for whom God may exist but only as an irrelevance

THESIS: Where we look is the key to the life of faith.

Our struggle in the life of faith: comparisons, looking out

The wicked plot (12), The wicked borrow (21), The wicked lie (32).

those who would do good are often vexed by life and wonder if there is any substance in living right

tempted to envy (1) and to get agitated about it (8)

envious (v1) - jealous, annoyed, have a feeling of ill will based upon a perceived advantage to the point of being tormented by the sight of that person

Our steps within the life of faith: confidence, looking up

How do we get over?

Monitor your emotions (v1,8) - Keep our cool

The New King James Version Psalm 37

1 Do not fret because of evildoers,

Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.

fret - to burn, to become hot, angry, get excited, burning sensation in the throat from rage; 3x : vv1, 7, 8

stay calm

rest (v7) - be quiet, still

New Living Translation Psalm 37

7 Be still in the presence of the LORD,

and wait patiently for him to act.

Don’t worry about evil people who prosper

or fret about their wicked schemes.

cease (v8) - relax, release, let it go

New Living Translation Psalm 37

8 Stop being angry!

Turn from your rage!

Do not lose your temper—

it only leads to harm.

Mind our business (3-5) - Focus on your part

New Living Translation Psalm 37

3 Trust in the LORD and do good.

Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.

4 Take delight in the LORD,

and he will give you your heart’s desires.

5 Commit everything you do to the LORD.

Trust him, and he will help you.

be content

Trust, do good, dwell in the land - like 1 Thess. 4:11

The New King James Version Chapter 4

that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business,

delight (v4) - lit: delicate, effeminate, soft; to pamper or refresh oneself; take pleasure in; to be weak around

stay committed

commit (v5) - act in a manner that is earnest/eager to a principle or person; lit: galal - to roll up or to wallow

Manage our expectations (v2,9) - Play the long game

New Living Translation Psalm 37

9 For the wicked will be destroyed,

but those who trust in the LORD will possess the land.

Have confidence in the Lord’s plan

commit (v5) - lit: galal - to roll up or to wallow - Go All In

It may not look like it, but we’re on the winning side!

Keep looking up, not out!