23.199 | Delight Yourself In The Lord | Psalms 37:1-11 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

2023-08-20

God’s Word for Today 21 Aug 2023 -Psa 37:1-11 ESV DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD David’s admonition not to fret over evildoers is repeated three times [v.1,7,8]. This suggests the problem of injustice he undergoes. The word translated "fret" means "to get heated up or to burn." How can a good God allow good things to happen to bad people? Why should we not be distressed? Firstly, their enjoyment is just temporary. They will wither like gra...

God’s Word for Today

21 Aug 2023

-Psa 37:1-11 ESV

DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD

David’s admonition not to fret over evildoers is repeated three times [v.1,7,8]. This suggests the problem of injustice he undergoes. The word translated "fret" means "to get heated up or to burn." How can a good God allow good things to happen to bad people? Why should we not be distressed?

Firstly, their enjoyment is just temporary. They will wither like grass.[v.2]

Instead, we are to delight in the Lord. To "delight in the Lord" is to enjoy and be contented with all the blessings found in Him, because they are from Him, not merely because they are to our benefit. The person who delights in the Lord values Him, the Giver more highly than His gifts. The word comes from a root word that implies pleasure and enjoyment.

Obviously, the one who "delights in the Lord" has righteous desires and deeds. He commits, trusts, waits and does the will of God. He is generous and gives. He does not do evil. He would not desire anything that springs from selfish desires and displeasing to God, would he? As David expressed,

“The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,

and his tongue speaks justice.

The law of his God is in his heart;”

his steps do not slip. [v.30-31]

Nobody should expect God to give something contrary to His will, or the Lord's glory. Hence, if our wills are attuned to the will of God (John 14:15), our requests will be granted (John 14:14; Mat 6:33). This idea is expressed often in the Psalms (Psalm 21:2; 145:19).

Moreover, to delight in the Lord could mean also that the Lord will place into our hearts those desires which are godly. In other words, when we delight in God, He makes us want what He wants (Rom 12:2; Gal 5:16–24).

The promise of God is preservation, protection, and provisions. However, the wicked in a moment will be gone.[v.10], victims to their own plots[v.12-15], broken and perish like smoke[v.20] The Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming.[v.13]

God, on the other hand, has promised the meek to inherit the earth and have peace[shalom]. Jesus calls him the blessed man in His teachings about the beatitudes in Matt 5. He is not living a perfect life but a spiritually healthy life. As David recognized,

“The steps of a man are established by the Lord,

when he delights in his way;

though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,

for the Lord upholds his hand.

I have been young, and now am old,

yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken

or his children begging for bread.

He is ever lending generously,

and his children become a blessing.”[v.23-26]

The blessed man is a secure man, as David concluded,

“The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;

he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.