Good morning,
This weekend Americans have been confronted with the kind of hate and violence that has been a part of our world for many years in someone else's back yard. Now we are facing the reality of what people have been facing who were not considered acceptable by someone of a religious system that approves the destruction of those who were designated as their enemies. The outcome of what has happened in Orlando is the attempt of our spiritual enemy to get God’s people self focused and controlled by the fears that follow this kind of attack. The atmosphere of fear and the attack that comes without warning are actually nothing new in the history of our world. What is new is that now it is our turn to decide what we will do with our own inner lives in the face of the potential for personal violence on ourselves or on those we love. It is easy for us to ignore the fact that the world of King David’s time was filled with this kind of challenge. Pain and loss marked the lives of those who wanted to live in peace and follow the guidelines of loving God and one another. A thoughtful reading of all of Psalms 37 will give each of us a much better picture of what our Savior and Lord has in store for those who are feeling overwhelmed in the face of this kind of threat.
In verse 23 David shared what God had taught him about what his Lord would do for those who were godly. David learned that The LORD directs the steps of the godly. David had spent years running from his deadly enemies but God always arranged for David to be at the right place at the right time in order to escape his enemies. God had a plan for David that didn’t include his enemies plans for him. David also learned that his Lord loved him and was involved in all the details of his life. David learned to trust his heavenly Lover as he went about his day to day life. He delights in every detail of their lives. David also learned that even when he stumbled, the Lord was there to catch him and that the LORD holds them (held him) by the hand. David goes on writing in verse 39 that The Lord rescues the godly; he is their fortress in times of trouble. Our Enemy does his best to get us to focus on some hidden enemy in order to keep us from remembering that the Lord God of Heaven and Earth is always with us and no one can touch us without his direct permission. David knew the truth that The Lord helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find shelter in him. May the Lord help us to believe in our God and trust him with our lives rather than spend our time and energy in worrying about what might happen next.
Psalms 37:23 The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. 24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.
Roy Wisner
