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“Do not fret because of evil men…” Psalms 37:1

I didn’t find much in Psalm 7 this morning so I used my “every 30th psalm” approach that I mentioned earlier this week and moved on to Psalm 37. That, by the way, is a standard approach when I read the Bible. I don’t labor over that which doesn’t seem to have much to say to me right now. I just move on until I do find something to muse on! One of the greatest proofs to me of the inspiration of Scripture is the way it speaks at different times, in different ways. I come across a text that is underlined, which means I’ve seen it before, but this time when I read it it seems all new! I don’t panic over what I don’t understand; I focus on what God IS giving me right now and let the rest of it just wait until He knows is a more appropriate and needed time.

I did liked the metaphor in Psalm 7 though:

“He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment.” If I am full of evil I can only create trouble which leads to confusion in my life. Obedience doesn’t save me but disobedience can really confuse me. Nice metaphor; even nicer lesson!

So, I found Psalm 37 FULL of cool insights!! It starts out with the admonition- “Don’t fret or be envious of evil doers…” instead, I saw a whole list of things I can more positively focus on AND the result, from God’s perspective, of what He will do for me when I choose to focus on Him and not the trouble all around me. My part underlined; God’s part in bold!

“Trust in the Lord and do good He will make you dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture

Delight yourself in the Lord He will give you the desires of your heart

Commit your way to the Lord He will make you shine like the dawn

Be still before the Lord He will cut off the evil so you can inherit the land

Turn from evil and do good He will give you security in life always

Wait on the Lord and keep His ways He will exalt you

Consider the blameless and upright He will give you peace like they have

Take refuge in Him He will help you and deliver you.”

And as Psalm 97 adds, “Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for He guards the lives of His faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked!”

Have a great day focusing on the underlined, so God can focus on the bold,

Pastor Rich

Quote for the day: “Those who leave everything in God’s hand will eventually see God’s hand in everything.”

PS "The Leadership Program is excited to announce that Ashlan Cousteau will be the speaker for the 2019 Leadership Symposium on November 7. She will be speaking for uGather at 10:35 a.m. in the church, hosting a luncheon with student leaders at noon and then speaking again in Heartland Hall at 7:00 p.m. Cousteau will draw on her experience as a television journalist, anchor, producer and host to talk about how entertainment can be a force for positive change. She and her husband, Phillipe (grandson of Jacques Cousteau) produced the Shark Week hit documentary "Nuclear Sharks" and host the Travel Channel's "Pirate Carribean Treasure." You can read more at https://ucollege.edu/cousteau"

PPS Three current and on-going opportunities for you to bless someone else! Operation Christmas Child, Share the Warmth, SM/TF Christmas boxes. Take your pick or choose all three!!