Sermon Devotional: A Life that Matters
Sermon Title: A Life that Matters
Scripture: Psalm 37:1-11 (NIV)
“It’s not fair!” We often hear this indignant complaint when things are not split evenly among siblings, or when classmates get preferential treatment, or when co-workers receive undeserved promotions. And any of us can feel this way when we see people living the high life off of ill-gotten gains. We all seem to have finely calibrated scales of justice when it comes to whether we are getting our due, our fair share.
╬ During this week, meditate on Psalm 37:1-11 and ask the Father to show you new ways that you can trust in Him and take delight in Him.
╬ Father, thank you that your desire is to enable us to reflect your own heart and to give us our hearts’ desires. Help us to trust in you and have patience, knowing that in your perfect time you will bring blessing and meaning into our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Psalm 37:1-11 (NIV)
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their way.
Psalm 37:4-7
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their way.
Psalm 37:4-7
“It’s not fair!” We often hear this indignant complaint when things are not split evenly among siblings, or when classmates get preferential treatment, or when co-workers receive undeserved promotions. And any of us can feel this way when we see people living the high life off of ill-gotten gains. We all seem to have finely calibrated scales of justice when it comes to whether we are getting our due, our fair share.
The psalmist reminds us that there is no one who cares about justice more than the Lord, the Author of Justice. The truth is we will not be the ones taking Him to task about what is just or unjust. In His time, the Lord will carry out His justice and will reward and vindicate those who put their trust in Him.
The Apostle Paul speaks of the "boundless riches of Christ" (Eph 3:8) and tells us God can do "immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine" (Eph 3:20). Like C.S. Lewis' famous analogy of a child making mud pies in a slum when he's being offered a holiday at the sea, we don't even have the imagination to desire all the good that God has for us. But when we “delight in the Lord,” the Lord himself places into our hearts His own desires for our good and wellbeing (v. 4).
What is required of us is trust and patience. In his best-selling book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey discusses scarcity and abundance mentalities. In short, those with the scarcity mentality see the world through a competitive lens - there is only "one pie out there" and another's win is a loss for themselves, whereas those with the abundance mentality optimistically see "unlimited possibilities," resulting in win-win solutions benefiting all involved. But many millennia before Covey's book, the psalmist was already instructing the people of God that our outlook should be one of abundance if we are trusting God. And unlike the message of Covey or that of countless proponents of positive thinking, the psalmist tells us that it's not up to us to conjure up our own visions of prosperity and then work to achieve them. Instead of striving and trying to improve ourselves, we are told to "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him" (v. 7).
What is required of us is trust and patience. In his best-selling book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey discusses scarcity and abundance mentalities. In short, those with the scarcity mentality see the world through a competitive lens - there is only "one pie out there" and another's win is a loss for themselves, whereas those with the abundance mentality optimistically see "unlimited possibilities," resulting in win-win solutions benefiting all involved. But many millennia before Covey's book, the psalmist was already instructing the people of God that our outlook should be one of abundance if we are trusting God. And unlike the message of Covey or that of countless proponents of positive thinking, the psalmist tells us that it's not up to us to conjure up our own visions of prosperity and then work to achieve them. Instead of striving and trying to improve ourselves, we are told to "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him" (v. 7).
According to the psalmist, we have a choice before us:
Option 1 — We can “fret” and “be envious,” filling our days with “anger” and “wrath”
Option 2 — We can “trust God,” “do good,” “take delight,” and receive God’s “desires of your heart,” His “reward” and His “vindication.” We can “inherit the land” and “enjoy peace and prosperity.”
Option 2 — We can “trust God,” “do good,” “take delight,” and receive God’s “desires of your heart,” His “reward” and His “vindication.” We can “inherit the land” and “enjoy peace and prosperity.”
One path leads to envy, discontent and anger; the other path leads to contentment, fulfillment and joy.
Consider—
╬ In what areas of your life are you prone to compare yourself with others who you feel are getting ahead unjustly? Bring your habit of comparison to the Lord.
Consider—
╬ In what areas of your life are you prone to compare yourself with others who you feel are getting ahead unjustly? Bring your habit of comparison to the Lord.
╬ During this week, meditate on Psalm 37:1-11 and ask the Father to show you new ways that you can trust in Him and take delight in Him.
╬ Father, thank you that your desire is to enable us to reflect your own heart and to give us our hearts’ desires. Help us to trust in you and have patience, knowing that in your perfect time you will bring blessing and meaning into our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.