September 1, 2023 -- Psalm 37:3-4, 8-9 -- The Psalm Series: Trust in the LORD and the Desires of the Heart

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Trust in the LORD, and do good;
    dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.
8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
    Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
9 For the evildoers shall be cut off,
    but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.
Psalm 37:3-4, 8-9 ESV

The first two verses likely would fit nicely on wall-hanging or as a post on social media. It is wonderful to think, “Wow, the LORD will give me the desires of my heart”! That is something most of us would be delighted to have. The trouble is we haven’t examined our heart. Our desires do not spring from a heart which trusts in Him alone.

The second pair of verses are far less likely to make a wall-hanging in our homes. But these are words are urgently needed. In order to have the desires of our hearts granted to us, we must examine our hearts and make sure we have, by the light of the Spirit Who holds up Scripture as our example and standard, carefully made a search to root out every sin. These verses are written for Christians to contemplate and Christians must get rid of all such evils from their hearts and minds and forsake associations with others who might be so inclined to sin.

Psalm 37 is a wisdom psalm. It is instruction for believers so that we will walk in the way of Jesus Christ—denying ourselves and taking up our cross and following Jesus. Such self denial is a constant battle. Each of us has particular weaknesses and areas where we are vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy or places where we’d easily stray back into sin. Direct your heart this day to trust in the LORD. Command your mind to wall itself against sinful urges and wicked temptations so that your heart will truly delight in the LORD and rejoice in all He gives you.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. Thank You for the witness of Your Holy Spirit Who shows us the lingering evil and the familiar sins we are inclined to drift towards. With King David, and the faithful of Israel and those grafted into the New Israel in Jesus Christ we confess our waywardness and our sins. We confess how easy it is to scrutinize others and weight their actions and how lightly and carelessly we examine our own hearts. In view of the radiance of Jesus Christ we pray, Father, help us to recommit our way to You in obedience to Jesus Christ our Savior and the Captain of Salvation and this in the strength of Your Spirit. Amen.

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