Psalm 37 is one of what many call the “Security Psalms,” which ranges from Psalm 32 to Psalm 37. Last week, I shared some thoughts on the phrase found in this psalm, “do not fret.” Now I want to look at the answer to that.
Worry, or fretting, at the most basic level, is a feeling of insecurity. Many people believe that the opposite of worry is contentment, peace, or calmness. I don’t think any of those provide a complete picture of what replaces worry. God tells us not to worry, and he does say that we will receive peace and contentment as a result, but that’s not the basic root of the issue.
What we are called to instead of worry and fear… is trust.
Trust is the opposite of worry. Trust is what we are called to do. Peace and contentment will come as a result. But if we don’t have that trust, that faith, worry will continually overtake us.
Trusting God in the face of difficult circumstances can be very difficult at times. Fortunately, the same psalm that tells us not to worry also tells us how to trust. Psalm 37 gives us five different ways to build and strengthen our trust in the Lord.
Trust in the Lord and do good (Psalm 37:3)
The first thing that the psalmist tells us to do is to trust and do good. It’s a simple, yet positive command. “Trust” is the Old Testament equivalent for “Faith.” We are called to trust Him, “and do good.” We are to be actively obedient. Doing good is an excellent remedy for fretting. Do good and you’ll soon find yourself rejoicing, even in spite of tough circumstances. God instructed the Israelites to “dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.” This is actually a promise. The Hebrew here is more accurately translated as “feed securely or feed on His faithfulness” (Psalm 37:3b). God made Canaan, the land of promise, to flow with milk and honey. He shepherded His people as they honored Him with faith and integrity. That promise is still in place, for us in the twenty-first century, just as it was in David’s time. God’s promise is our perpetual banquet. We will lack nothing that we need, because he provides for every need we have. Philippians 4:19 makes this promise: “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Delight yourself in the Lord (Psalm 37:4)
Make the Lord the joy and the rejoicing of your spirit. God does not call his people to delight in carnal objects. Do not envy such people, or imitate them. Draw from God all that inward joy which He would give you. And what’s the promise here? “He will give you the desires of your heart.” Those who delight in God desire or ask for nothing but what will please Him, wills subdued to Him, will see many of their desires answered!
Commit your way to the Lord (Psalm 37:5)
This phrase means that we are to “leave it all to Him.” We are commanded to trust God for everything. Let Him plan, lead, direct, and bless. If this command were obeyed by believers, we would have so many blessings we would not know what to do with them. If it is not God-directed, it will not succeed. But if it is directed by Him, watch out, because he will blow us away in the ways in which He provides! This is what it means to trust, and twice in this psalm, we are commanded to place our trust in God (Psalm 37:5, 40).
Rest in the Lord (Psalm 37:7)
This is the high point, and the result of trusting and ceasing from fretting. To rest in the Lord means to be still before Him. When practiced, it is an indication of faith, because faith never frets, it rests. And God is pleased when we rest in Him. Worry says that God does not know what is best for our lives, and that He is not able to control our circumstances. But resting in the Lord is the key to a happier, more fruitful and successful life.
Wait for the Lord (Psalm 37:9b)
In verse 7 we are commanded to “wait patiently for Him.” We are to let God take His time. This develops patience. Do not hurry God. Hebrews 10:36 tells us that we “have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.” And Isaiah encourages us in the same way in 40:31: “Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” What does this look like? It begins in prayer, in meditation, and in the study of God’s Word, as we seek His will for our lives each day.
Five keys to trust; five things we can do to build our faith in God and kick worry to the side. They may not always be easy to do, but the more we practice them, the better we get at them. And in the process, we will see God’s hand at work in our lives.
Question: Do you find yourself worrying more, or trusting more? What do you need to do to build a higher level of faith and trust in God in your own life? You can leave a comment by clicking here.