Five Pieces to the Puzzle of Life

Introduction:

Life no matter how easy one has it, is still complicated. There are so many decisions, choices, temptations, paths you can take, and variables that can happen.

I know that mental health issues have been around, no doubt since the fall, but it is increasingly on the rise.

The demand for escape is growing by leaps and bounds.

Evil looks like it has the upper hand and is winning the day - but David the Psalmist gives us five things we can do to put the pieces of our crazy lives into some semblance of order.

I want to look at these tonight with the Lord’s help and give us a path to truly live life.

You could call these the five ways to peace but it’s more than peace - its a quality of life that only those who live this way can know and understand.

First: Fret Not (Psalm 37:1-2)

“Fret Not” means don’t be agitated or irritated.

[One has said it] means “to burn, to get heated up.” David’s message was, “Cool down and keep cool!”

Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Worshipful, 1st ed., “Be” Commentary Series (Colorado Springs, CO: Cook Communications Ministries, 2004), 142.

Psalms (Vol. I) Psalm 37

Aristotle, we have a special emotion implanted in our nature—νέμεσις—which causes us to “fret” when we witness undeserved prosperity (‘Rhet.,’ ii. 9, § 1)

It is easy to get all worked up into a frenzy because of the evil of this day.

Another word for “fret” is “worry” Worry doesn’t really help anything does it - it is wasted energy -

I believe it was Adrian Rogers who preached he was “too blessed to be stressed.”

Fret Not - and part of that not fretting is also not envying. When you see evil prosper know that it is only temporary.

Second Trust in the Lord (Psalm 37:3)

Instead of envying the wicked - we need to “Trust in the Lord”

Trust means to believe in or depend on

This trust is accompanied by doing good

This can be good deeds (non salvific but because one is saved)

But more likely means living righteously a sign that one has trust in God through Christ.

Third Delight in the Lord (Psalm 37:4)

Delight means: To take a high degree of pleasure or mental satisfaction in. In this case in the LORD.

Meaning of Delight – to find exquisite pleasure in, to find great pleasure in

Isaiah 55:2 KJV 1900

2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? And your labour for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, And let your soul delight itself in fatness.

The Focus of Delight – “in the Lord” – focus on His character as (1) a God who comes into personal (covenant) relationships with people, and (2) a God who always keeps His promises (covenants).

Personally interested in you Faithful to his word. You can count on Him.

Method of Delighting ourselves in the Lord

A. The Expression of Delight

· Delight expresses itself in praise All enjoyment spontaneously overflows into praise…. The world rings with praise—lovers praising their [beloved], readers their favourite poet, walkers praising the countryside, players praising their favourite game…. We delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation. (C. S. Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms)

Fourth, Commit your way (life) unto the Lord (Psalm 37:5-6)

Faithlife Study Bible Psalm 37

To commit one’s way to Yahweh is to trust him with the outcome.

The Tony Evans Bible Commentary Psalm 37

You can expect God’s movement in your life when your thinking and desires match his. He desires to bless you more than you want to be blessed, so commit your way to the LORD (37:5). If you entrust your entire life to the King’s agenda, he will act on your behalf with righteousness and justice (37:5–6).

The Voice of the Lord: Messianic Jewish Daily Devotional Nisan 1

I have also discovered that it never seems to work when I delight myself in the Lord in order to receive the desires of my heart. Delighting in the Lord must be its own separate desire, a glorious end in itself.

Fifth: Rest in the Lord & Wait on the Lord

Rest means to be silent or be still it is talking about a calm surrender to the Lord

To wait means to look forward to God helping.

If your life seems helter skelter and you can’t seem to make sense of it all - these five steps will help put some order back in.

Fret Not

Trust in the Lord

Delight In the Lord

Commit your way unto the Lord

Rest in the Lord and Wait patiently for Him