Back to the Psalms!

In this first month of a new year, we are returning to the Book of Psalms for our devotional readings. We are picking up where we left off: Psalm 37. This week, we will read through Psalm 40.

I found the first six verses of Psalm 36 to be amazingly timely - both as guidance for a new year and as meaningful for the current situations in our world and nation. David is identified as the writer of this Psalm, so that gives us some understanding of the circumstances out of which he composed this poem. Here was a man who was long pursued by those who sought him harm. He begins his song: "Do not fret," or "Do not worry," or "Don't be anxious." If any man in Scripture had cause to be anxious and worried, it was David, yet his faith in God's providence and plan shines through!

In contrast to worry - we might say the opposite of worry - David inspires his listeners to trust in the Lord. And this trust immediately eventuates into action - trust in the Lord and do good. When we are surrounded by difficult circumstances and difficult people, it is easy to set our hearts on evil and on wickedness. They seek to hurt us; we seek to hurt them. But David cautions us here. Indulging in our desire to do evil is to embrace the way of worry. The path of trust is filled with us doing good for the Lord's sake. Rather than worry this new year, look to do good!

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Many have misunderstood this verse to reveal some way of manipulating God into getting what we want. But this is not a playbook on how to manipulate the Almighty. On the contrary, this is road-map to peace and fulfillment. As we delight in the Lord, our hearts will be transformed. We will be changed as we follow God and love Him and seek after Him daily. And as our hearts are changed, they are drawn into alignment with God's heart so that eventually, we are desiring what God desires. Why, then, wouldn't God give us what we want? It is also what He wants! And since He only wants what is best for us, we can be assured that our heart's desire is for our own
good and the good of others. It will be in accordance with Truth and Beauty and Goodness.

So, commit your way to the Lord! That's a great challenge at the beginning of a day, the beginning of a week, and the beginning of a new year. Commit your way to the Lord. Trust Him. And do good. It will keep you from worry and it will lead you to peace.