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“Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy
safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of
your heart.” Psalm 37:3-4 (NIV)
“Trust in the LORD” David touches on a
very basic attribute of our relationship with God. We have to trust Him. Our
trust has to be for all things—small as well as large. I once heard a woman say
she told God He could handle the large things in her life; she would handle the
small things. After I thought about this, I do not know what she meant by this.
Was she confessing her lack of trust?
“do good” As followers of Christ, we
are to love others as we love ourselves. (Matthew 22:39) We have to examine our
lives to see how we can do this. As human beings, we desire comfort and strive
to meet basic needs of our families and ourselves. God’s people establish
ministries—food banks, clothes closets, shelters- to help meet those basic
needs of others.
“dwell in the land” When we come to the
LORD and ask Him into our hearts, we discover we are to live for Him. Jesus
desires to have first place in our hearts and our lives. Billy Graham told all
who came forward to receive Christ at his crusades to find a church and learn
more about Him.
“enjoy safe pasture.” When we live for
the LORD, we will appreciate being able to commune with God and receive
guidance from Him. One of the blessings I receive from the LORD is when I
awaken and He gives me the words of a hymn or a praise song in my heart.
“Delight yourself in the LORD” Do you
remember when you were a small child when you were going to see a grandparent.
Did you get excited? My maternal grandmother lived in the southern part of our
nation. I always looked forward to seeing her-either when she came to our house
or we went to see her. Magnify that euphoric feeling many times and this is how
we are to look forward to spending time with Jesus—personal prayer time, a
church service, a small group meeting, be it Bible study, a prayer group, or
just a time of fellowship.
“he will give you the desires of your
heart.” When we follow God and live for Him, when we look forward to being
with like-minded believers, God will give us what we need to bring peace to our
hearts. The scripture says: “the desires of our hearts”; isn’t one of those
basic desires that we find peace in our hearts?
I just finished memorizing this chapter and it's been such a blessing to me! Thanks for the thoughts you shared about it, especially the insight that we need to bring ALL--large and small--to the Lord. He wants to be involved in our lives on every level, not just the "big" things. Besides, nothing is big to Him!
ReplyDeleteOn a recent Wednesday night,our pastor asked us, "Where in the Word are you?" It made me stop and think. I have been in the Psalms. I truly enjoy them. Blessings to you and yours.
DeleteQuietspirit, this was so wonderful to read! I have been feeling a little down, been reading the news and staring at the gaping maw of bleakness that our world seems to be becoming. I guess that explains it? ;) But trust in the Lord...trust...do not be afraid. That's the key.
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh at this:
"I once heard a woman say she told God He could handle the large things in her life; she would handle the small things."
Maybe she thought she was cutting him a break. Hahah! And she'd probably laugh too, if she read that abck to herself!
I understand that bleakeness; here, I felt in a rut. I am still not out of it yet. The weather turning spring-like has helped a little bit. I have to read the newspaper with God's eyes in order to stay on top of things or I would really get down mentally and spiritually. Blessings to you and yours.
DeleteThanks, quietspirit.
DeleteHi Cecelia! Isn't it so consoling to know that God wants to give us our hearts desire? It seems almost too good to be true.
ReplyDeleteIt must be the time of year, but I have been feeling overwhelmed lately. Too much stuff to do, and not much of it all that important. I think I put more pressure on myself than is needed. Maybe I am thinking I am the one that makes everything move? But as your Scripture says, "Delight yourselves in the Lord", and I'll have what I need. Ahhh. Such good news!
Blessings,
Ceil
Ceil: I, too, have gelt overwhelmed. Being unsure of how much I can do as my ankle heals. Hubby and our neighbor planted lilac bushes at the back of our side yard.The weather is BEAUTIFUL; I want to get out and enjoy it. Hubby and I went out looking for a white dogwood tree to plant in our yard. I did not have to get out of the car. We live in the north part of town and every place we went is located in the south part. We have to remember that God gave us all we have and we should be thankful for what we have to do. I have a good friend whose sister would trade places with us and be able to do all the things that overwhelm us.
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