Week 7 - Psalm 37:(1-2) 3-4

Week 7 – Psalm 37: (1-2) 3-4:   Fret not yourselves because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

It is hard to estimate the impact social media has had on our way of life. One negative effect is the way it tends to propagate covetousness and envy. We are instantly confronted with the highlights of how good someone “has it” verses what we are experiencing in our own life. Often, we find that we do not measure up to another’s abundance, success, or presumed blessings. Therefore, we are left wanting or coveting what another person has or is doing. There is a reason the LORD, from the very beginning of the law, commands us not to do this.

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.” (Exodus 20:17)

Coveting leads to becoming discontent, and discontent people are not thankful nor do they rejoice. They are agitated, worried, angry, annoyed, and jealous. Those are not in the list of the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5. They are also ones that lack faith. They see God’s promises as false or less important than their current reality. Spurgeon comments on this Psalm by saying it is “too common for believers in their hours of adversity to think themselves harshly delt with when they see persons utterly destitute of religion and honesty, rejoicing in abundant prosperity.” So, what is the cure, especially in this context we find ourselves? He goes on to say that "faith cures fretting,” and I would argue that the Bible first declares that to be the cure. Verse 4 instructs us that a delight in the Lord will lead to Him giving us the desires of our heart. For only by delighting, by faith, in the Lord do we have a mind set on holy things, pure, good, and righteous things. That type of faith puts everything in perspective. This Psalm is a preaching of this truth by David for David. He is preaching this to himself. Who has not been tempted to covetousness and discontent? Are we not mere men? Therefore, do not be bothered by the godless who have no faith, they are only being further separated from the pleasures at the right hand of God (Psalm 16) and prepared for eternal destruction. Instead, place complete confidence and trust in God who will do good to His people for all eternity. He will you give ultimate delight and there you will find your hearts greatest desires fulfilled.

“for the righteous shall live by faith” (Habakkuk 2:4)