Too often in times of conflict we think we need to act instead of being still. On the contrary, it is in the stillness with God that he gives us that he gives us a response to overcome adversity.
The Message
Psalms 37:1-9 NIV1 Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; 2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
- Psalms 34:7 NIV The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
- Romans 12:19-21 NIV Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
3 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
- “Trust in the LORD” (v. 3). If you walk by sight and not by faith, you will find it easy to fret. (See Ps. 73.) The wicked seem to be prospering, but they will not last (vv. 35–36). Believe what God says in His Word because that is where you find reality
- Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
- “Delight in the LORD” (4). Find all your joy and pleasure in His will. Make Him your delight, and your desires will be in His will. Living to please the Lord sets you free from fretting about what men are doing.
5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
- “Commit your way to the LORD” (5). When you trust Him and delight in Him, how could you do anything other than commit your way to Him? Let God guide your steps, choose your joys, protect your name, and bless your work.
7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
- “Rest in the LORD” (7). Restlessness is an evidence of unbelief. Faith rests in the Lord and enjoys “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Phil. 4:7). God sometimes waits in answering prayer so that He might strengthen our patience (James 1:2–8).
- “Rest in the Lord; wait patiently for Him.’ In Hebrew, “Be silent to God and let Him mold thee.’ Keep still and He will mold thee to the right shape.” Martin Luther
- Isaiah 40:31 NIV but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. 9 For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
- Ephesians 4:26 NIV “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry…