READ: Psalm 37 (Focus vs. 5-17)
MEMORY VERSE
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5
Psalm 37:5-17
BACKGROUND
In Charles Dickens’ classic novel Oliver Twist, the sickly Oliver is born in a workhouse, an institution notorious for exploiting the poor. Orphaned at birth, the boy eventually runs away due to abusive treatment.
Through an amazing set of “twists,” he learns he is heir to a sizable fortune. Dickens, who loved happy endings, ensured that everyone who harmed Oliver over the years either received justice or repented.
His oppressors got what they deserved while Oliver “inherited the land.” If only life came with tidy endings like those scripted in a Dickens novel.
In the Bible, we read the song lyrics by a man who anticipated such a day—when justice is served and the oppressed “inherit the land” (Psalm 37:9).
Though he experienced evil firsthand, the poet David urged patience. “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him,” he wrote. “Do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes” (v. 7).
He continued, “Those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land” (v. 9). Despite observing how the “wicked draw the sword” to “bring down the poor and needy” (v. 14), David trusted God to make things right (v. 15).
Life is hard and often unfair. Yet we hear in the words of Jesus an echo from Psalm 37: “Blessed are the meek,” He said, “for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).
Tim Gustafson
INSIGHT
Israel had limited information about the afterlife, so they sought to explain how injustices in the world could be made right. Their conclusion? God blesses the righteous according to their righteousness and judges the wicked according to their wickedness.
Psalm 34 explains the concept, Psalm 37 gives third-party counsel to one suffering injustice, and in Psalm 73, the psalmist Asaph questions this law because he’s the righteous sufferer.
In reality, however, it’s only in the next life where injustices will finally be resolved. Asaph realized this when he entered the place of worship and put it all at God’s feet (73:16-28). Today, God provides what we need to patiently wait for His restoration of the world.
Bill Crowder
APPLICATION
When have you been treated badly? How will you trust God in your unfair situations?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“Life is hard and often unfair (yet) God provides what we need to patiently wait for His restoration of the world.”
PR’s TAKE
“Many are the afflictions of the just/righteous but from them ALL the Lord (frees) them.” Psalm 34:19
“They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me.” Psalm 18:18-19
PRAYER
“Dear God, please help me wait patiently for You to make things right.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“HE IS WORKING IT OUT FOR YOU” Shirley Caesar
Though the pressures of life seems to weigh you down
And you don’t know which way to turn
God is concerned, and He’s working it out for you
The child that’s on cocaine, through prayer, he can change
That marriage that’s on the verge of breaking up
Although sometimes, you have to walk alone
Now you ask yourself, “Is there a word from the Lord,
Oh, from the Lord?”
You need a blessing, and you need it right away
God is concerned, and He’s working it out for you, yeah
No peace in the home, there’s no peace on the job
The bills are due and your health is failing too
God is concerned, and He’s working it out for you
I know that He is, I know that He is
…He’s working out the problems
Right now, yes, He is
He’s working it out for you
You don’t have to worry about it no more
He’s working it out…
He cares about you, yes, He does (I’m so glad to know He cares)
He cares and He’s working it out for you
Yes, He is, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
He’s got healing in His wings for you
He’s working it out…
God cares, yes, He does
…I’m glad He cares, yes, He does
I’m so glad to know He cares
I’m glad that He really cares
Yes, and He’s working it out for you and you
For you, and you, you, you, you, you, you
Only God can work it out…
The problem that got too big for you, yes, it has
You cannot solve it on your own, yes
God told me to tell you, He has seen your tears
…He’s ready to wipe the tears from your eyes
God cares, yes, He does, He really does
I’m so glad to know He cares
He cares all about your problems
I’m so glad to know He cares
Yes, He does
