Psalm 37 - "First"

The Lord took me to Psalm 37 this morning. David gives clear direction on what we are to do to live for the Lord. We are to trust Him and live for Him (vs 3). We need to commit to His ways in all we do (vs 5). A key to living in this way is found in verse seven. It reads in the NIV: Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him... Being still is not an easy task in today's world of busyness. But if we want to live as God desires we must be still before Him. Verse eighteen and nineteen show what happens when we are still before Him. 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. The inheritance David speaks of is that of eternal life. My goal is to spend eternity with my Heavenly Father. I know that goal is possible because of verses twenty-three and twenty-four. The Lord makes firm the step of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. Praise His Holy Name! David continues in verse thirty-four with direction that we are to continue to Hope in the Lord and keep His way. When we believe in Him and have accepted Him into our heart, the hope we experience through salvation is priceless. Matthew Henry writes of this Psalm:

The blessing of God is the spring, sweetness, and security of all earthly enjoyments. And if we are sure of this, we are sure not to want any thing good for us in this world. By his grace and Holy Spirit, he directs the thoughts, affections, and designs of good men. By his providence he overrules events, so as to make their way plain. He does not always show them his way for a distance, but leads them step by step, as children are led. God will keep them from being ruined by their falls, either into sin or into trouble, though such as fall into sin will be sorely hurt. 

I like the way Henry words His blessings as being the spring, sweetness, and security of all earthly enjoyments. Spring is a time of new life. It is a time when flowers and trees begin to bloom. When we lived in Ohio, there was a drastic difference between winter and spring. Here in South Carolina the flowers and trees bloom all year so the change is not so drastic. I am blessed every time I go outside and see God's creation. Living in this climate is a blessing in itself. 

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the ones ahead today! What a full day it was yesterday with graduation, the Crouse family picnic, and Glenda, Rogera, and June coming. Thank You for all of the ways You bless me! Before going to sleep, during the night, and again this morning I prayed for pastors to walk in obedience to You. I prayed for congregations to grasp the vision You have given their pastor. Thank You Father for the privilege to be a pastor and for the way You direct my steps on this journey! Thank You for being with all who will allow You to be their Heavenly Father! Thank You for being strength for many going through 'tough' days! My Momma; Ben; my sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; my brother Richard; Ben and Colleen; Pete and Delores; Steve; Cait; Mike; Norma Hall; Sharon Sebolt and her parents; Serena and her husband; Vivian; some young ladies with anxiety; a man in rehab for anger issues; a young man out of rehab who needs strength in his daily walk; a husband/father separated from his wife; Mary Lilley; Preacher Bill Watts; Brooklyn; Kristen Batten; Timmy; Amber; families in turmoil; Ms Savon's friend; Cyndi; Doug and Gay; and many others. I also pray healing prayers over many who are dealing with 'c' and/or going through treatments...Sharon's daughter Ashley; Chrissy's cousins; Shirley Jones; Debbie's husband Kelly; Cait's friend with leukemia; my pastor friend with daily chemo; Betty's husband; my friend with mesothelioma; Judy Link; Little Ivy; Little Judson; and my friend who had her last radiation this week. I pray for: Jonathan whose mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor, the Long Family, Vickie's son Jim, Laurie, and Russ. I pray protection over Clay and his workers. Thank You for continued improvement with Pastor Sam and for Baby Henry! Thank You for being My Hope! Amen.