December 30, 2022 - Psalm 37

What are two matters many of us have the greatest problem with? How about patience and trust? David instructs us, “Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good . . . Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. . . . Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!” (37:1-7)

Fret not yourself. Trust in the Lord. Commit your way to the Lord. Trust in him, and he will act. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. This is just so difficult for us. We wonder, “Where is God? Why hasn’t he already acted? I want this handled, now. I just can’t wait.” We need to hear this counsel over and over again, though: “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.”

Give to the winds thy fears,

hope and be undismayed;

God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears;

God shall lift up thy head.

Through waves and clouds and storms,

He gently clears the way;

wait thou His time, so shall this night

soon end in joyous day. --Paul Gerhardt (1656)