From Richard B with thanks

Psalm 37

The Way of the Wise 2

Good morning again!

We looked at Psalm 1 last week and we thought about a T junction and whether we turn the way of the wicked or the way of the wise. We considered that the wise fill their minds with the things of the Lord; rather than the way of the wicked. It’s a battle at times though isn’t it.

We are looking at Psalm 37 today….and I thought we would look at the first three verses. Here they are:

1 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.

3 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

So we might look at those who do not follow the way of the wise; the way of the Lord. And maybe we feel that we are missing out. Or maybe that there is something wrong with us if we are not doing X or Y or Z.

Maybe that is how you have felt. If so – remember that when we make choices (like the type of things we are talking about), we are making a turning. After a period of time, that making a turn goes from becoming a choice, to a habit, then from a habit to a lifestyle from which one finds it impossible to extricate oneself from. And all decisions have consequences. They have effects elsewhere in our lives. It might all seem fine from a distance – but ultimately we have to live with the decisions we make. And there is probably nothing more painful for the soul than to admit that the reason we are in the mess we are in, is all down to us.

I often wonder how it must be for an atheist. If there is no one who can save you from yourself, where do you go when your world is crashing around you? Or even if you are struggling with a certain issue? But praise God – we DO have somewhere to go. We DO have someone who loves us. We DO have someone who is more powerful than anything that the world can throw at us. Hallelujah! What a saviour!

So don’t fret – but take the wise turning. The evil turning is misery so take the turning that says: “Trust in the Lord and do good” (verse 3). Don’t dwell on the other turning. Do what he says.

Our writer then says in verse 3 that to make this turn down Wisdom Way, we will find ourselves living in safe pasture. Why? We are not rejecting the Lord but living rightly for him. If as Christians we take the other turning, which all of us can do, we will find that the Spirit and our spirit will be grieved. But praise God, we can turn back to that right turning!

So today, the Way of the Wise is to:

  1. Do not be fooled by the ways of the wicked; instead
  2. Trust God; and
  3. Do what he says

And enjoy life in that land.

14.2.24


Category: The Bridge , Thought for the week