Text: Psalm 37 (See Psalm 73 also.)
Everyone would like to be thought of as perfect and peace is the ultimate goal of every man, woman, boy and girl on the face of this planet. Yet both seem as far away as the stars when it comes to achieving them. Human frailty and fleshly desires war with the concepts of perfection and peace. It becomes easy to surrender to the idea that you have to sin a little every day. Why, even the Bible tells us there is none good but God.
But Jesus says, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:48) So, that has to mean that the possibility is there. The questions are, where? and how? Psalm 37 provides seven steps which break down the process into do-able segments...
1.) "Trust in the LORD, and do good." (Verse 3) This mindset provides a safe dwelling place and the promise of food (sustenance). Herein is the promise of stability.
2.) "Delight thyself also in the LORD." (Verse 4) Find your joy in the ways of the LORD. Let the things that make Him happy make you happy. Smile on the things HE smiles on!
3.) "Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in Him." (Verse 5) Three promises accompany your commitment. First, that He will bring it (thy way) to pass. Second, He will reveal your righteousness. And third, your judgment will be made plain - for all to see.
4.) "Rest in the LORD." (Verse 7) The phrase, "Fret not thyself" is mentioned three times in this chapter and each time it has to do with those around you who are evildoers. No matter what is going on around you, your hope is wrapped up in the promises of the LORD. You can rest all your weight on Him Who will supply all your needs according to His riches. When you fully trust Him to "bring it to pass," all the schemes and agendas of the evildoer who seems to be getting away with his mess are included in His promise. You can bank on it!
5.) "Cease from anger." (Verse 8) Banish all thoughts of revenge and getting even. Don’t waste your time nursing grudges, bitterness, envy, jealousy, or how unfair it all is. As Paul said, "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." (I Timothy 2:8)
6.) "Depart from evil, and do good." (Verse 27) When God reviewed the life of His servant, Job, Job’s notable attributes were these... He was perfect, and upright, he feared God, and, he "eschewed evil." Job avoided evil like the plague. The antithesis of doing evil is doing good. In fact, we are told to overcome evil with good.
7.) "Wait on the LORD." (Verse 34) When you keep His way, He has promised to exalt you to inherit the land, which in itself is an exceeding precious promise. But it doesn’t end there. He has also promised that when the wicked are cut off, you will see it. Your "due season" is in His hands!
Think on the wealth stored up in these promises of God...
- He has promised to order the steps of a good man and to take delight in his way. (Verse 23)
- Even if the good man falls, he will not be utterly cast down, for the LORD upholds him. (Verse 24)
- The righteous will not be forsaken, nor will his seed beg bread. (Verse 25)
- The righteous is merciful, he lends to others and his seed is blessed. (Verse 26)
- The LORD loves judgment and will not forsake His saints – they are preserved for ever. (Verse 28)
- The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell therein for ever. (Verse 29)
- Their salvation is of the LORD: HE is their strength in time of trouble. (Verse 39)
The conclusion of this matter pf the path to perfection and peace is this:
"Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace." (Verse 37)
"And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: He shall deliver them from the wicked and save them, because they trust in Him." (Verse 40)
