As you face what promises to be, or may become, a difficult week, I encourage you to consider the 37th Psalm. It is one of my favorites; filled with the promises of God for difficult days; and instruction for the appropriation of those promises. Here are a few examples:
Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb. vv. 1-2
Reading what this psalm has to say about evildoers will give you a heart of sympathy for them. You may even start seeing them as deceived prisoners that could use some help being made free.
Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday. vv. 5-6
God allows difficult circumstances to prove what we believe in our heart. Pass this test and you will find yourself in a Matthew 5:16 experience.
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,
And He delights in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the LORD upholds him with His hand. vv. 23-24
Here’s something to keep in mind: Falling and hitting the ground are not the same thing. Many of us trip and fall during difficult times. That does not mean we skin our knees or smash our noses. The LORD promises to uphold us. In our weakness, He is strong!
If you will allow the word of God to do its thing, Psalm 37 will not only put courage in you for this week; it will develop in you the faith and courage for difficult seasons. Taken in community, it will prepare us to face the trials and tribulations that have appeared on our near horizon.
With that in mind, please comment on the courage you received from this promising Psalm. The courage you find will encourage another.
Humbly yours and forever His,
