Page 62 - Living light - The Psalms

THIS WEEK’S BIBLE INSIGHTS ARE BY:
Steve Maltz and are based on Psalm 37 (NIV)
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ MORE ON THIS WEEK’S MAJOR THEME:
Psalm 2
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. 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...
...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.
Sunday August 11 - Be righteous
Do not fret because of those who are evil... for like the grass they will
soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Psalm 37:1-2
This is a psalm of shifting focus, swinging between the righteous and the wicked, contrasting their standings before the Lord and encouraging us to follow his way. These first two verses summarise the reality of it all. It’s a matter of focus. Concentrate on the good you can do, not on those who choose ‘the dark side’. Take the long view rather than any short-term gains from wrongdoing. Whatever the wicked may think they accomplish, it eventually fades and, let’s face it, they ‘can’t take it with them’. Instead, they create a legacy of curse rather than blessing when their life’s achievements are finally spread before them.
When people strive to feed their selfish needs, they can ‘benefit’ up to a point. Drugs, drink and general overindulgence may give temporary pleasure, but the body suffers in the long term, unable to sustain the chemical overload. It all withers and dies and leaves behind just brokenness. The ‘excitement’ of adultery and illicit sex may provide cheap thrills but are no comparison to a happy life spent in a monogamous loving relationship, ‘till death us do part’. Don’t live in the moment, invest in your future. Don’t fret when those around you are ‘living the high life’; it will one day wither and leave them with nothing more than regretful memories.
Father in heaven, please help me to be content with what I have, rather than be jealous of temporary pleasures. Amen.
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PRAYER FOR TODAY