Psalm 37:38 “But all sinners will be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off.”
[The certainty of your judgment, Lord, is absolute: sin and all who choose to remain in it will be condemned, taken from this world and removed from your presence forever. Then the new Heaven and the new earth will come, beautiful and pure with no evil, no sin, no wickedness–only beauty and purity like in the picture here, only obedience, love, glory-giving and worship of you, Lord God–Father, Son and Holy Spirit. You are worthy, the only One to be exalted, for you are the wise and good God.
Psalm 37:39 “The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.”
[we should look nowhere else for salvation, protection or help, for no one and nothing else can save us, protect us, keep us as You can, Lord God. You are our Savior, our Shepherd and our Warrior King.]
Psalm 37:40 “The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,”
[You, Lord, are active, powerful and always present; you save us out of the pressures that are good for us and remove those which are destructive. We can trust you to work all things out, as you did in defeating the wicked at the cross.
“because they take refuge in him.”
And lastly, here’s God’s condition for protecting us. You call us, Lord, to find our refuge in you, our great and good God. When difficulties come, we so naturally and quickly flee to ourselves or others for help.
We run first to the doctor for a pill, to the banker for a loan, to the politician for influence, to a friend for comfort. These are not wrong at the right time. Bu first we must come to you in prayer, seeking wisdom, direction, help, protection and healing.
You give us direction here: “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14). After we seek you in prayer, you may direct us to human help that you will use, although many times you act without that help.
I praise you, Lord, for your calling us to partnership with you. Help us to remember to come to you first, all the time, displaying before men and angels our trust in you. You have proved yourself many times over to be our refuge, our fortress, our shield and our defender.
And then from this refuge, you will guide us in utilizing whatever human resources you choose to bring about the conclusion you desire for us in each difficulty you allow.
Praise be to you, the God of Abraham, the Lord of Joseph, the Shepherd of David, and the Savior of the world. May you be honored, exalted and glorified as we respond in all things with the sacrifice of thanksgiving, the calmness of faith and the obedience of trust.]
