Psalm 37

Introduction:

Has there ever been a time where you have questioned the Lord’s faithfulness to the Church? Have you ever looked at the lives of the wicked and thought, “How could Psalm 1 be true when it says, ‘The righteous are like fruitful trees, prospering in everything they do, but the wicked are like chaff, not prospering in what they do.’ When I look around and see the wicked prospering and it seems that it’s those who actually love the Lord that are the one’s struggling?

Here is the challenge for today from Psalm 37:1-11. When you and I look at the prosperity of the wicked, and we find ourselves questioning God’s faithfulness to us, we must look forward and look upward.

We Must Look Forward

Illustration: In 1943, Thomas J. Watson, the Chairman of the Board of IBM said, “I think there is a world market for about five computers.”

1.) The Enemies of God will fade as the green herb. (1-2, 9-10)

-Thought of Honduras Machete Grass cutting.

-This is illuding to the summer heat scorching the grass.

2.) You Will Be Vindicated (6)

-Robert Bratcher and Will Reyburn said, “God will plainly and publicly demonstrate the justice of the psalmist’s cause and prove him to be innocent. So a translation can be “He will clearly prove that you are innocent, he will show that your cause is just.’ the two together refer to the sun as it rises in the morning and as it shines with full force at noontime. This is a figure of something that is clear, that is seen by all.

3.) We Will Inherit the Land (9, 11)

-In the Pentateuch, God tells the Israelites that if they obey His commands, they will dwell in the land. However, if they forsake Him they will be cast out of it. It is possible that the righteous Israelites are in a state of terror as they fear that the rebels are jeopardizing their stay. Regardless, God’s assurance comes to them, that the meek will inherit the Earth.

-This is a promise, R.C. Sproul points out, that was never totally fulfilled but was expanded in the New Covenant. The Meek will not only inherit the promised land, but the whole Earth. What is most precious is that we will not only possess the Earth, but we possess a precious, eternal fellowship with the very Creator of the Earth as we are now His sons and daughters through Christ.

We Must Look Upward

—Some people only look around at how big their problems are...

1.) Feast Upon His Faithfulness (3)

2.) Delight in God’s Greatness (4)

-Take delight in the Lord , that is, seek and find in him the source of happiness and joy, and not in material possessions.

-Instead of worrying about evil people, they should rest comfortably in the land. God will give them safety. One who delights in the Lord will have desires that conform to God’s will for their lives. God will grant what they request.

3.) Commit Yourself to God’s Providence (5)

-In Hebrew it literally reads, “Roll your way upon the Lord...” as though you are rolling your burdens and your stresses onto the Lord and off of yourself. This seems to depict a life entrusted to the Lord knowing that He will provide for you, protect you, and that He will do what is right.

4.) Rest in God’s Acts (7)

-When I was in 5th grade I didn’t have a yearbook...

-This texts seems to suggest silence and stillness before the Lord. It is peaceful longing where all anxiety is gone and there is nothing but hopeful expectation.