Psalm 37:3 “Fret not because of evil doers….Trust in the LORD, and do good;”
[What wonderful commands: to look away from the turmoil around us, to look to you in trust, to be like you, to return good for evil, as you do.
I praise you, Lord Jesus, that we can fully trust you, for you have clearly and powerfully proved your faithfulness in saving us for eternity–therefore we can trust you to continue saving us in the every day events that you allow into our lives.
You are the One who created all, who redeemed all, who conquered death and now rules in righteousness–so we can definitely trust you with all our little problems and pains. I praise you that in trusting you, we can do good in the face of evil.
“dwell in the land”
[We shouldn’t run away because of difficulties, because of opposition, persecution and evil events. Like the Syrian Christians who chose to stay during that terrible civil war so they could witness to their Muslim neighbors, so we should stay put until you clearly call us somewhere else.]
“and find safe pasture, feeding on faithfulness.” (ESV)
[If we are faithful to you, trusting you, doing what is right, then we can enjoy your faithfulness, experiencing it in protection, provision and having a heavenly perspective.
What this requires is looking away from our irritations to you, seeing your goodness, power and presence, choosing to trust you in the midst of distress. And then choosing to be like you in our words and actions. Praise you for this call to a volitional worldview shift, away from fretting and fear to living in truth and trust.
So as I look away to you, Lord Jesus. I want to praise you for being our Shepherd, for your wonderful, faithful care which we so often take for granted, many times failing to give thanks.
Praise you for each breath, for each step we can take, for every safe return home, for all we can see, hear, taste, smell and touch. Praise you for hands to grasp, feet that walk, legs that support us and brains that function, to one degree or another. Praise you for your gracious goodness poured out upon us every day.
You, Lord, are faithful and good, so generous and kind, patient and persistent, firm and positive. I praise you for your chastening, your correction, your punishment when necessary to get our attention. Help us to be very alert to your direction so we don’t force you to be stronger than necessary in getting us to listen and obey.
I praise you, Father, for your wonderful working every day and give you glory now for what you will do today. Help us to trust you and do good, to dwell with and in your goodness, so that we may bring much glory to you.]
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