Opening Prayer
Lord, in Your light let us see light. Amen. (Psa 36:9)
Text: Psalm 37:1–6
Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday.
Devotion
Heed these words. Do not begrudge others their good fortune, and do not become angry over the success of the ungodly, for they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Entrust yourself to the Lord, rely on Him with full confidence, do not let yourself be moved from this rock of yours. “You who fear the Lord, hope for good and for eternal joy and mercy. Look to the generations of old: Who believed in the Lord and was disappointed? And who was in the fear of the Lord and was forsaken? Or who called on Him and was forsaken?” Do good to those who persecute you. Then you have conquered the devil who wants to shake your confidence in God and would also make you into a prickly thorn-bush.
Live in the land, and you shall be fed faithfully. You should not let your heart depend on a plot of ground or quarrel with others about it. Remember Abraham and Lot. But neither should you forsake your homeland, because it makes you weary. Live with God, and enjoy His faithfulness. Let it be your rule: never to flee even a little from the Lord. For it is a great comfort to know: here God has placed me, I live here by His faithfulness.
The Holy Spirit gives perfectly sure instructions for a happy life in the following verse: Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Let His will be your will! His love your joy! “Where shall I find relief in my great need and trouble? Will I really be happy again somehow? Yes, all you have to do is want what Jesus wants.” Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. Wonderful command and promise! Do like a child going through a dark room: hold on to your Father, and be safe. Commit your way, commit it all to the Lord. This word “commit” is a wonderful word. Let the weariness and difficulties of your life fall on Him, – all mountains of care that weigh on your heart, commit them all to the Lord. He shall take them upon Himself and carry both you and your burden. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. That will show you that He does not forget His people when they walk in the darkness. “Already here He shall justify them before the eyes of all, but the promise shall be completely fulfilled on that day when the saints shall shine like the sun, and like the rays of heaven forever.” – Listen to the psalmist’s words, and be happy!
Closing Prayer
Help us, Lord, to trust in You, to delight in Your will and to rely on it. How blessed we would be if we could entrust ourselves to You with child-like confidence! Help us, dear Lord God! Teach us to commit our way to You and firmly to believe that You shall do it. Amen.
Hymn
Thy truth and grace, O Father,
Behold and surely know,
Both what is good and evil,
For mortal man below:
And whatsoe’er Thou choosest
Thou dost, great God, fulfill,
And into being bringest
Whate’er is in Thy will.
Thy way is ever open;
Thou dost on naught depend;
Thine act is only blessing,
Thy path light without end.
Thy work can no man hinder;
Thy purpose none can stay,
Since Thou to bless Thy children
Through all dost make a way.
Gerhardt: Thy way and all thy sorrows L 186:3-4 ELH 208:3-4 tr. A. T. Russell;
tune: Befiehl du deine Wege