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The Lord makes firm the steps

    of the one who delights in him;

24 though he may stumble, he will not fall,

    for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

I don’t know about you, but I have a picture in my mind of a toddler who is just learning to walk. She ‘stumbles’ often, her rather wobbly legs giving way beneath her, but she does not ‘fall’ and hurt herself because her daddy is holding tightly to her hand. He can feel her unsteadiness and use his greater strength to correct her balance. So she makes progress safely, if slowly.

Derek Kidner says that the context suggests the stumble points to material calamity rather than a moral plunge. The truth is that believers are not immune from the general sufferings common to mankind. In addition, they will face peculiar attacks because of their allegiance to God. Things can, and do, go wrong in the lives of believers. But they are upheld in the firm grip of divine grace.

The Lord can even make our steps ‘firm’ as we ‘walk through the darkest valley’ (Psalm 23:4).

PRAYER: Lord, you are my Shepherd. May I fear no evil in life’s darkest valleys, knowing that you are with me. Thank you Lord.

The wicked borrow and do not repay,

    but the righteous give generously;

22 those the Lord blesses will inherit the land,

    but those he curses will be destroyed…

…26 They are always generous and lend freely;

    their children will be a blessing.

In the two highlighted sentences above, I see the articulation of another Biblical principle; one  perhaps most clearly expressed by Jesus in Luke 6:38:

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

In Psalm 37:21,22, it looks like “the righteous” who “give generously” are those blessed by the Lord and who “inherit the land.” They receive far more than they give. This is the experience of so many of God’s people who, with faith, give according to God’s Word. (There are lots of testimonies out there, but probably most of them cannot be fully told, because disciples are to give in secret).

    “Righteous gives and gives.

Generous gets it all in the end;

    Stingy is cut off at the pass.” (21b,22 The Message).

It is not necessarily the very wealthy who are the most generous. Some  rich people undoubtedly are, but not all. Often poorer people are more kindly and giving in their outlook. (I’m sure it’s not true of all poor people, but I believe it is often the case). I was thinking about Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5:

And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.

Such are the truly rich people in the world.

As “…the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ “ (Acts 20:35). Everyone who steps out on this statement discovers that, although it may look like ‘water’, there is hard surface beneath their feet.

‘…a righteous man is no longer righteous when he grows selfish; he has joined the ‘men whose portion…is of the world’ (17:14; cf.49:13-20). The element of generosity in righteousness is treated more fully in psalm 112, and above all in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9. Further, this man’s constant giving and lending (26a) is crowned by a lasting blessing to society in the family he founds.’ (Derek Kidner).

(Thought: How, and to whom, can I show generosity today? It isn’t just about money).

Better the little that the righteous have

    than the wealth of many wicked;

17 for the power of the wicked will be broken,

    but the Lord upholds the righteous.

18 The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care,

    and their inheritance will endure for ever.

19 In times of disaster they will not wither;

    in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

20 But the wicked will perish:

    though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field,

    they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke…

25…I was young and now I am old,

    yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken

    or their children begging bread.

These words can hearten us, especially in the light of trying economic times. Generations of believers have been able to articulate their own testimonies, in words similar to those of the psalmist in (25). With the hindsight of years of experience, we can look back and speak of God’s faithful goodness.

“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1).

Derek Kidner entitles  verses 12-26 The hidden help, and then he divides them up in this way:

12-15: Persecuted but not forsaken

16-20, 25: As having nothing, and yet possessing all things

21,21,26: Making many rich

23,24: Cast down, but not destroyed

He writes: ‘…the righteous man , however poor he is, has better prospects as well as a better conscience than the godless. The Gospel sayings, like those of 17-19, take full account of temporal needs (e.g. Matt.6:31ff; 19:29); and in the psalm as in the New Testament the real security and wealth lie not ‘in uncertain riches, but in the living God’ (1 Tim.6:17, AV).’

In 1990, I, and a few friends from a church in Leeds, took our first steps towards planting a Bible-believing church in the village of Boston Spa, in West Yorkshire. In those early days especially, I was inspired by biographies of various Christian leaders and missionaries, and always stirred by stories of God’s miraculous provision. For example, missionary Hudson Taylor’s dictum that ‘God’s work, done in God’s way, will never lack God’s provision’ left a deep imprint on me. In many ways, I saw that we too were involved in a missionary task. We were pioneering in a village where (to the best of our knowledge) there was no overt evangelical witness. Looking back now, from the vantage point of almost 32 years, I can say that God’s provision has been abundant, and I’m profoundly grateful.

We do not know how tough the days ahead will become. As God’s people we have to try to live as wisely and prudently as we can. For example It’s not right to amass needless debt and then say we are struggling, and expect others to bail us out. That said, if we are blessed with surplus, we should evaluate our responsibilities towards those who are in genuine need. But may we all know that even if things come to a ‘worst case scenario’, we have access to the ‘cheque book’ of God’s promises, and He will not fail or forsake us (see Hebrews 13:5,6).

PRAYER: Lord, help me to not fret or fear, but trust in your promises, and live wisely and responsibly before you.

The wicked plot against the righteous

    and gnash their teeth at them;

13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked,

    for he knows their day is coming.

14 The wicked draw the sword

    and bend the bow

to bring down the poor and needy,

    to slay those whose ways are upright.

15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts,

    and their bows will be broken.

As I read this, I have a mental picture of a bear, about to pounce on much smaller and weaker prey. But just a little way behind the bear, there are hunters with rifles, and they are going to bring him down. He is blissfully unaware of the fact.

Repeatedly, Psalm 37 encourages us to take the long view. Again and again it points to the ultimate overthrow of the wicked. Two thoughts stand out in today’s reading:

1. Although watching the news may cause us to weep, God can ‘laugh’ (see Psalm 2:4). He does not find comedy in the bad things perpetrated on earth, but with regard to the perpetrators “he knows their day is coming” (13);
2. Evil has a way of rebounding on those who carry it out (15). This is another related message the Bible repeats at different times and in a variety of ways. The ‘bombs’ they carry, we may say, blow up in their own faces.

‘The picture of verses 13-15 is of a defeat which the Lord sees…coming, rather than has to intervene to send. The history of the church , from Stephen and Saul to the present day, is full of such reversals.’ (Derek Kidner).

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.

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.

10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more;

    though you look for them, they will not be found.

11 But the meek will inherit the land

    and enjoy peace and prosperity.

As I have observed before, waiting for the Lord is an important Christian discipline (not just waiting on Him). ‘Patience’ is one of the nine ‘flavours’ of ‘the fruit of the Spirit’ (Galatians 5:22,23), and how greatly we need the Holy Spirit’s help in this area, because most of us are not naturally patient.

The big picture painted by this psalm is that of a topsy-turvy world in which the wicked often seem to do well, while the godly fare badly. But David assures us that if we await God’s timing, in just a “little while” (10) the scales will be balanced, and every wrong will be righted. The Lord will set everything straight: “…the meek…will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5, see verse 11). The problem for us, however, is that this “little while” seems to take so long!

Of course this principle can be applied at the micro (as well as the macro) level: to trying situations where we ourselves need patience to know the next step. We’re aware that these are comparatively small matters, when compared, for example, with all the violence and injustice in the world. Nevertheless, they are big to us, and they matter in our eyes.

In his introduction to Michael Yankoski’s book, ‘Under the Overpass’, Francis Chan writes:

‘ I was warned when entering seminary that if I was not careful, a dangerous habit could form: I could learn to read the Bible and do nothing in response. I still remember our seminary president warning us that study to the neglect of action becomes easier and easier with each occurrence. We should be terrified if we have mastered the art of becoming convicted and doing nothing in response.’

Today, I don’t want to theoretically accept the truth that I need to wait on the Lord, but actually do it. I know I will need God’s grace for this, but it is possible. Will you join me? If you have done everything you know to do, and God hasn’t yet shown you the next step, let me encourage you to wait for Him to reveal it to you in His way and time. He is infinitely trustworthy.

PRAYER: Lord, I do so want to obey your Word. I know it is the only way to live. Please help me.

(P.S. Today’s reading opens with the words Be still. It includes the idea of being silent, and ‘describes calm surrender to the Lord’ (Warren Wiersbe – see also Psalm 62:5). For many years now, I have begun most days by making a cup of tea, sitting in a familiar chair, and just being quiet before God for 10-15 minutes. It has become such a grounding experience that I cannot imagine not doing it. It may not be for everyone, but I mention it because I’ve found it such a help. However you work out the truth of today’s verses, may God bless you in the pursuit)

Commit everything you do to the Lord.

    Trust him, and he will help you.

6 He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn,

    and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. (‘New Living Translation’)

This psalm seems to paint a picture of a world in which the powerful oppress the weak, and the innocent often find themselves wrongfully accused. But there is a simple message running through the psalm that if they trust in God He will “help”, and one way or another, sooner or later, He will vindicate them. They can take their case to the Highest Court of all and will find no injustice there. As we saw recently, Jesus knew this and acted accordingly:

“Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

22 “He committed no sin,

    and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:18-23)

‘In the matter of personal reputation we may especially be content to be quiet, and leave our vindication with the Judge of all the earth. The more we fret in this case the worse for us. Our strength is to sit still. The Lord will clear the slandered. If we look to his honour, he will see to ours. It is wonderful how, when faith learns to endure calumny with composure, the filth does not defile her, but falls off like snowballs from a wall of granite. Even in the worst cases, where a good name is for awhile darkened, Providence will send a clearing like the dawning light, which shall increase until the man once censured shall be universally admired. “And thy judgment as the noonday.” No shade of reproach shall remain. The man shall be in his meridian of splendour. The darkness of his sorrow and his ill repute shall both flee away.’ C.H.Spurgeon.

Trust in the Lord and do good;

    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

4 Take delight in the Lord,

    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Increasingly, as the years have gone by, I’ve realised there’s no use fretting over things I can’t change or control; I need to get on with doing those things I know I am called to do. Here are three of them, and they belong together in the life of discipleship. We are called live lives of trust, obedience and prayer. (By the way, “…enjoy safe pasture” can read “tend faithfulness”: in other words, cultivate being faithful to God and His way like a shepherd tends his flock).

This is a scary world where violent, greedy, selfish people elbow others out of the way, govern callously and cruelly, and regularly appear to get away with it. But, as Walter Wink observed, ‘History belongs to the intercessors.’ Against many appearances to the contrary, it is the people who know how to pray who shape history. They tend to be hidden, anonymous, out of the way. They may often be be poor and unimpressive, marginalised and weak, but the power to change the world lies with them. They are the ones who “Keep company with GOD” (‘The Message’). Is there any better way to live?

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.

Last Sunday, I preached my final sermon, as a pastor, in the church I have served for nearly 32 years. Now here is a confession: during these long years I have fretted about many things. Even though I know we shouldn’t do it, it’s hard not to at times. But this I do know: none of it changed anything. It is totally unproductive (other than it may make the fretful person ill).

This psalm opens with the words: “Do not fret” (see also 7,8). In particular, it’s concern is with the ungodly who seem to prosper in this world and get away with the bad stuff they do. Much of the news is made by ‘those who are evil” and “those who do wrong”, and too much exposure to it could cause fretfulness – especially at the moment!

‘The Message’ translates:

Don’t bother your head with braggarts

    or wish you could succeed like the wicked.

In no time they’ll shrivel like grass clippings

    and wilt like cut flowers in the sun.

The thing is, these petty dictators (and their ilk) have got a limited life-span (as have we all). They won’t be around forever. Vladimir Putin will die and face God. Would you really want to be in his shoes?

For some reason, Robert Mugabe also came to mind as I read this. I remember him coming to power years ago. For a long time he brutally ruled the roost in Zimbabwe, causing mayhem, oppressing the people, treading them down. One article accused him of reducing the population of Zimbabwe by millions in just a few years. But eventually, in the frailty of old age and illness, he passed away.

Psalm 37 encourages us to take the long view, and recognise that although evil people may have their little ‘hour on the stage’, the curtain will surely fall.

A message from God: The transgression of the wicked resides in their hearts.

In the first devotional I wrote on Psalm 36:1, I made the point that preaching must travel through the ‘heart’ of the preacher if it is to move other hearts. That surely is a true point. If your message doesn’t stir your soul, how can you expect it to move anyone else’s?

However, in the course of studying this psalm, I have come to see that verse 1 can be alternatively rendered as above. I read somewhere that the psalmist may be referring to the pleadings, the arguments of sin within his own heart. We will readily understand this. We all know how sin argues its own case within us, and if we give it the time of day, we will, if we’re not careful, allow it to win the argument. This is the paradox Paul wrote about in Romans 7: 21-23:

“It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.” (‘The Message’).

What is the solution for this internal dichotomy? It is the inner tug-of-war we all feel from day to day. What is the answer? Paul goes on to write that the answer is a Who rather than a What. It is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself:

“He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.”

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you are my Lord. Help me to turn a deaf ear to the siren call of sin, and listen only to you.

P.S. Thank you again for reading these notes. It’s been a little over ten years since I started to write them, and I’m grateful for the encouragement I’ve received. From next week, I will no longer post these notes on ‘the King’s church’ facebook page, but they will go onto my ‘A date with Jesus’ facebook site.

See also the blog site: http://stephenthompson216.wordpress.com/