What do you do?

a devotion on Psalms 37

Intro

“Do you do what you can do when you do not know what to do?”

Intro

“What to do when you do not know what to do?”

Psalm 37

• Written by David most probably

Psalm 37

• Written by David most probably • Wisdom literature

Psalm 37

• Written by David most probably • Wisdom literature• No particular incident besides David

capturing life, its tension, difficult moments and how he worked through them – DIVINE PRESCRIPTION OF LIFE

Psalm 37

• Written by David most probably • Wisdom literature• No particular incident besides David

capturing life, its tension, difficult moments and how he worked through them – DIVINE PRESCRIPTION OF LIFE

• David wrote it at his old age

Psalm 37:25

I have been young, and now am old

Psalm 37

1 Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb.

Psalm 37

3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37

5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday.

Psalm 37

7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm.

Psalm 37

9 For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth.

The Scenarios

(When one does not know what to do)

Psalm 37:1Do not fret because of evildoers,Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.

The “Don’t Know What to Do” Moment:

• Evil flourish, Righteous suffers • Bad things happen to Good people • Life moments where we can’t explained

The “Don’t Know What to Do” Moment:

• Those feelings of • Life is unfair • One feels so helpless • Despair sinks in • Your everything is being stretched to the max • Confusion, fear, anxiety, worries

overwhelmed one’s emotion• Doesn’t seem to have light at the end of

tunnel…..etc.

The What to Do when “DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO” Moment

Psalm 37 prescribed: •Do Delight in the Lord (v4) •Do Trust and Commit (v3, 5) •Do Rest and Wait (v7) •Do forsake anger / wrath (v8) •Do not fret (v1, 8)

Psalm 37 Context

• David advanced in years, weathered through storms after storms in life:• The storm of Goliath • The storm of Saul / The loss of Jonathan• The storm of being made a King • The storm of wars / battles / betrayals • The storm of Bathsheba / death of his son• The storm of his Family disarray

Psalm 37 Context

David summarizes some of the things that he “DOES” in those moments and how God led him through triumphantly

Psalm 37

4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37

Delight •To be soft, pliable •To derive one’s pleasure from HIM

Psalm 37

How does delight practically work out in David’s life: 1.He heeded the voice of God, and repent 2.He learns to worship despite of hard situation 3.He stayed in God’s word and draw strength

Promises of God in Psalm 37

1. You will inherit the land / earth (v9, 11)2. You will have abundance of peace (v11)3. You will be satisfied even in the days of

famine (v19) 4. Your steps will be ordered by the Lord (23) 5. The Lord upholds him even when he falls

(v34)

Promises of God in Psalm 37

6. The Lord will not forsake the righteous ones (25, 28)

7. Your descendants are blessed (26) 8. You will be filled with Wisdom, justice and

peace (30, 37) 9. You will not slip / slide (31) 10.The Lord is your strength / salvation (v40)

What do you do?

a devotion on Psalms 37