I wanted to take this opportunity to share the video of Sunday's message and my notes... I pray you are blessed by it!!! For the video click here: Video Message
Here are my notes - I hope they make sense... I tried to get further detail from Pastor Bill's notes.
Introduction:
This Psalm was written by King David when he was old. He is looking back on his life.
A. Many times there is a tendency to get frustrated with the way things always seem to go
1. God’s Word is a solution to that problem (Psalm 119:105 “your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”)
2. How is God’s word the solution? It gives us perspective, peace, wisdom and discernment.
B. In Psalm 37 we find a prescription of practical instructions to help us maintain and develop a true Biblical understanding - its not enough to just know.
I. Five things we must do to keep from having a troubled heart
A. “Trust in the Lord” v. 37:3
1. The word has the idea of refuge - safety, speaking of being in a refuge. *Find your refuge in God. Put your full faith and trust in God. Your emotions will take you places you don't want to go.
2. To have is “trust” we must practice the principle of “ dwelling”. vs. 3 “Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness”
You are where you are for a specific reason. Be faithful where you are at. I need to make a choice every day.
Dwelling has the idea of abiding, residing, settling in. The NIV puts it this way “Dwell in the land enjoy safe pasture.” Instead of allowing ourselves to be troubled or worried, David urges us to feed like humble sheep on the faithfulness of God.
B. “Do “Good” vs. 37:3 James 2:20, 26, 18, 22
I have to act in my faith, showing my trust in God. Faith = Action. I have to choose to step out.
C. “Delight in the Lord” vs. 37:4
1. The Hebrew word for “delight” is a feminine word having the picture of a new bride who has deliberately chosen to seek her happiness in her husband.
2. As she yields to him, she finds delight.
Delight means not to be strong for yourself, trying to work everything out by yourself. Let God be strong for you. He is always there and always the same.
God is in control - I am going to delight myself in Him.
There are certain things we can do and should do about our circumstances. But, there are times in life when we need to step back and say, “Lord, this is too hard, there’s nothing I can do. I will direct my energy into delighting in you and let you work on my behalf.”
The world delights in their portion, we must delight in our God. As we delight in Him it cures the troubled heart.
D. “Commit your way to the Lord” vs.37:5
1. Here the word “commit” literally means to “roll your way upon the Lord”
It has the idea of getting rid of heavy burdens and rolling it right off your shoulders.
2. Everything in regard to the manner in which we live is to be committed to the Lord.
3. God will take care of your interests not allowing you to be ultimately wronged. Psalm 37:6, Psalm 55:22, Matthew 6:25-32
The cure for a troubled heart—don’t carry the weight of “the maybe’s” and “what if’s” of life. Roll them upon the Lord. - Commit them to Him. - We can trust Him.
Psalm 55:22 “Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.”
E. “Rest (be still) in the Lord, waiting patiently". vs. 37:7
1. The Hebrew word for “rest” means to be mute, silent, still (to quit striving).
The idea of waiting is silent, patience or confidence. The idea of leaving the whole matter with Him, without being anxious regarding the result.
2. God does not always act in behalf of His people immediately. Why? God may seem to delay for a long time; it may seem strange that He does not act, but you are not troubled. (“In quietness and confidence we find our strength” Isaiah 30:15)
3. God will always prove faithful.
“Those who wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth” Psalm 37:9
II. Three things we must not do if we wish to keep from having a troubled heart
A. “Do not be envious toward wrong doers” vs. 37:1 Here it refers to the feeling which springs up in the mind when we see persons of wicked character prosper while we who are endeavoring to do right are left to disappointment and tears.
B. “Cease from anger. vs. 37:8 - This is in reference to the fact that there are wicked people and they are permitted to carry out their plans. Don’t allow your mind to be filled with anger because God is patient with them and they are allowed a temporary triumph. James 1:20, Romans 12:21
C. “Do not Fret” vs. 37:1, 7, 8
It means to work up anger within yourself. You can express the same idea by the word “worrying”. A state of mind where we are worried because others are prosperous and we are not.
Instead of focusing on envy, anger and worrying - let us focus on
a. Trusting in the Lord.
b. Doing Good.
c. Delighting in the Lord.
d. Committing our way to the Lord.
e. Resting in, waiting patiently for the Lord.
E. “Rest (be still) in the Lord, waiting patiently". vs. 37:7
1. The Hebrew word for “rest” means to be mute, silent, still (to quit striving).
The idea of waiting is silent, patience or confidence. The idea of leaving the whole matter with Him, without being anxious regarding the result.
2. God does not always act in behalf of His people immediately. Why? God may seem to delay for a long time; it may seem strange that He does not act, but you are not troubled. (“In quietness and confidence we find our strength” Isaiah 30:15)
3. God will always prove faithful.
“Those who wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth” Psalm 37:9
II. Three things we must not do if we wish to keep from having a troubled heart
A. “Do not be envious toward wrong doers” vs. 37:1 Here it refers to the feeling which springs up in the mind when we see persons of wicked character prosper while we who are endeavoring to do right are left to disappointment and tears.
B. “Cease from anger. vs. 37:8 - This is in reference to the fact that there are wicked people and they are permitted to carry out their plans. Don’t allow your mind to be filled with anger because God is patient with them and they are allowed a temporary triumph. James 1:20, Romans 12:21
C. “Do not Fret” vs. 37:1, 7, 8
It means to work up anger within yourself. You can express the same idea by the word “worrying”. A state of mind where we are worried because others are prosperous and we are not.
Instead of focusing on envy, anger and worrying - let us focus on
a. Trusting in the Lord.
b. Doing Good.
c. Delighting in the Lord.
d. Committing our way to the Lord.
e. Resting in, waiting patiently for the Lord.
