November 20th, 2016
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Trees by Streams of Water

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Lord God, through struggles overcome and blessings received, I make this day a gift of gratitude and hope to You.

Read Psalm 37:1-40

[1] Of David. 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. [4] Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. [5] Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: [6] He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. [7] 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. [12] 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. [16] 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 forever. [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. [21] 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. [23] 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. [25] I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. [26] They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing. [27] Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. [28] For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed; the offspring of the wicked will perish. [29] The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever. [30] The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just. [31] The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip. [32] The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, intent on putting them to death; [33] but the LORD will not leave them in the power of the wicked or let them be condemned when brought to trial. [34] Hope in the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it. [35] I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a luxuriant native tree, [36] but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found. [37] Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace. [38] But all sinners will be destroyed; there will be no future for the wicked. [39] The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. [40] The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Meditate

“For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord. But those who fail to find me harm themselves…” (Prov. 8:35,36).

Think Further

 

We might be tempted to read this psalm with a degree of skepticism. On the face of it, it claims that those who trust in the Lord are bound to prosper and do well because God is with them: “I have never seen the righteous forsaken” (25). Here is a veritable “prosperity gospel”! Those who are “wicked and ruthless,” by contrast, are swiftly given their come-uppance: they “soon passed away and [were] no more” (35,36). It would be nice if this were the case, but for most of us life is more complicated than this. Other psalms (e.g., Psa. 73) and the whole of the book of Job helpfully explore the grey areas a bit more. The Bible is, after all, a thoroughly realistic book and never ignores the hard questions. Yet before we pass cynically on, let us consider how the psalm might be right.
It is surely right in ultimate terms. In the final analysis, in the final judgment, in the final reckoning, there is simply no chance that the righteous will be put to shame. Nor is there the possibility that there will be a future for the wicked (38). With God, such things are unthinkable. The fact that justice and vindication of the way of godliness might be delayed is no refutation of the underlying and secure truth of what the psalm proposes. It’s all a question of time—and patience.
All this having been said by way of caution and clarification, let us not miss the immediate encouragement here. Even in this life, righteousness has its rewards. A wholesome, healthy, happy life is more likely to be ours if we commit our way to the Lord and trust in him (6). Even if it is denied, as we know in God’s purpose it was for Jesus, God’s grace can help us live well in adversity.

We might be tempted to read this psalm with a degree of skepticism. On the face of it, it claims that those who trust in the Lord are bound to prosper and do well because God is with them: “I have never seen the righteous forsaken” (25). Here is a veritable “prosperity gospel”! Those who are “wicked and ruthless,” by contrast, are swiftly given their come-uppance: they “soon passed away and [were] no more” (35,36). It would be nice if this were the case, but for most of us life is more complicated than this. Other psalms (e.g., Psa. 73) and the whole of the book of Job helpfully explore the grey areas a bit more. The Bible is, after all, a thoroughly realistic book and never ignores the hard questions. Yet before we pass cynically on, let us consider how the psalm might be right.

It is surely right in ultimate terms. In the final analysis, in the final judgment, in the final reckoning, there is simply no chance that the righteous will be put to shame. Nor is there the possibility that there will be a future for the wicked (38). With God, such things are unthinkable. The fact that justice and vindication of the way of godliness might be delayed is no refutation of the underlying and secure truth of what the psalm proposes. It’s all a question of time—and patience.

All this having been said by way of caution and clarification, let us not miss the immediate encouragement here. Even in this life, righteousness has its rewards. A wholesome, healthy, happy life is more likely to be ours if we commit our way to the Lord and trust in him (6). Even if it is denied, as we know in God’s purpose it was for Jesus, God’s grace can help us live well in adversity.

 

Apply

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7). What anxieties do you need to cast upon the Lord? Claim the promise and release them to him.

Closing prayer

Mighty God, I cast my anxieties on You. I know my biggest temptation is to take them back from You. Strengthen me to resist that temptation.

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