There are times in life when we suffer at the hands of the wicked or are let down by people we look up to. These difficult moments can leave us feeling defeated and broken, with a self-appraisal of failure; let’s face it, pain is real and hurt is real.
When these realities/feelings overpower us, we lose hope in ourselves, we feel alone, and can lose hope of any victory coming our way.
So, what can we do?
PSALM 37 gives us guidance in difficult times, when the wicked strike:
V1 ~ “Do not fret because of evildoers…”
- Do not be anxious, do not be agitated
- Do not let it eat away at you
- Do not become ‘like them’ in your response.
V3a – “Trust in the LORD…”
- Not in man who perishes like grass, and forsakes in times of trouble
- Trust in the LORD who is eternal, in whom everlasting strength and love is found
- Trust the One who promised to never leave you, nor forsake you.
V3b – “Dwell in the land, and feed on His goodness…”
- You do not need to fight this battle
- Dwell in the presence of the LORD, let Holy Spirit minister to you
- Read and meditate on the word of God
- Listen to worship music
- You do not need to feel anything, or say anything, just sit before the LORD and trust in Him.
V4 – “Delight yourself in the LORD…”
- You loved Him yesterday, continue to love Him today
- Be thankful; for the LORD has amazing grace to save you.
- “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).
V5 – “Commit your way to the LORD…”
- Hand the situation completely over to the LORD
- Give Him your life, that His purpose for you will prevail
- All things work together for good, so trust He will bring you through, in greater power.
V7 – “Rest in the LORD…”
- Take on His peace; He is the Prince of peace
- Be quiet; He knows
- Nothing can separate you from His love (see Romans 8:31-39).
Life brings many trials, many hardships, many failings. But be encouraged, the LORD knows them all.
He was LORD before the foundation of the earth; He knew you before you were in your mother’s womb, and He knows your today.
He loves you and He knows the hurt you suffer. But rest assured, He will not leave you there; He will not let wickedness have the final say in your life. Trust Him!
“Salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. 40 And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him” (Psalm 37 39-40)
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