Commit your way to the Lord

Psalms 37:5-6 (NIV)
5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Psalm 37 was written as a response to a common dilemma of Christians – the envy of “sinners”, or of those who do wrong, and yet are successful.

Psalms 37:1 (NIV)
1 Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong;

Psalm 73 also shares the same sentiment:

Psalms 73:2-5;12 (NIV)
2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.
3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.
5 They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills.

12 This is what the wicked are like-- always carefree, they increase in wealth.

Why are they the ones with “successful” businesses.  They’re the ones with nice cars, big houses, money to spend on nice cell phones, fancy clothes, expensive vacations.  And here we are, Christian businessmen, walking with God, with only “little” blessings to boast of.

Why do “sinful” students who cheat get higher grades while Christian students have to study hard?  Why do worldly men always get the beautiful women and have “fun” in life?

Let’s admit it – we all feel this way.  And it’s a big temptation to let go of our Christianity, even just for one business deal, and enjoy the same benefits they have.

So how are we to deal with feelings or observations such as this?  How can we not fret because of what evildoers are enjoying?  Let’s go back to Psalm 37.

1.  REMEMBER ETERNITY.

Psalms 37:1-2 (NIV)
1 Do not fret because of evil men 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.

Remember Eternity. Or should it be the other way around – remember that we will all die.  Someday, when we least expect it, we shall die.  What will happen to all we worked for?  Where will we be spending eternity?  I think we all have an idea where evildoers will be after they die.

How important it is for Christians to live with eternity in mind, realizing that when the time comes for us to join our Creator, it is our treasures in heaven that matter, not our treasures on earth.

2.  TRUST IN THE LORD AND DO GOOD

Psalms 37:3 (NIV)
3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Trust in the Lord and do good.  Walking in righteousness is an expression of trust!  This is our way of telling the Lord, and others, that, as we obey God’s commands we trust that HE will be the One to bless our business or work. 

No matter how strong the temptation to earn quick bucks by following the ways of the world, we need to walk by faith, trusting that God knows what we need and will take care of us!

3.  DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD

Psalms 37:4 (NIV)
4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Contrary to how many people read this verse, the focus here is in “Delight yourself in the Lord”, and not “the desires of your heart”.  Many Christians try to delight themselves in the Lord, while waiting for our desires to be fulfilled!  This is why some of us are frustrated.  Our focus must be the delight, not our desires. 

God is reminding us that life is not just about our business, our studies, or our material needs.  Life for a Christian is about delighting in the Lord!  We delight to spend time in fellowship with Him, with other believers, serving in ministry, using our resources for His glory.

The delight of a Christian is in the Lord, not in our desires.  When a Christian is truly delighting in the Lord he forgets about his desires, and just trusts that God will give them to him when He sees fit.

4.  COMMIT YOUR WAY TO THE LORD

Psalms 37:5-6 (NIV)
5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Commit the way you live, the way you’re handling your business, the honesty, integrity and obedience to His word.  Give them all to God, entrust them to His care.

His promise – He will make your righteousness, and the justice of your cause, shine like the dawn, like the noonday sun.

Notice God did not say “I will make you rich, or successful”.  No.  God is not primarily concerned with success or riches.  His desire is not to boast of our accomplishments or material blessings.  What God will show others is our righteousness!  God uses us as His examples of walking in His righteousness.

Have you noticed how we enjoy listening to testimonies of successful Christian businessmen who have gained wealth, recognition, awards, etc., and desire that God does the same for us?  What about if we listened to a Christian businessman successful in praying everyday, meditating on God’s Word, walking in righteousness, not compromising his faith, and remained an unknown and did not earn as much as others?  Will we also desire that God give us the same faith and walk as him?

God will make the “justice of our cause” shine.  What cause are we working for, fighting for, in this world?  What cause has God given us in this world?  What are we living for?

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

How is God glorified in our lives?  Just through our success and abundance of material things?  No.  He is glorified primarily through our trust in Him.  As we trust in the Lord and DO GOOD, walking in righteousness, delighting in Him – these are what glorify God in our life.  The material and financial blessings are just things that God gives us that we may use them to glorify Him.

Even if we are not as rich, or successful, and even if we do not get the same benefits as others, a Christian rejoices that God is using Him to show the world that there is a God, and that He is faithful and takes care of His children.  We are here to show others that there is a joy greater than that which money and material things give.

Then we will not fret.