Psalm 37:1-10 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 37:1-10 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Do not fret because of the wicked; do not be envious of wrongdoers,
Verse 2for they will soon fade like the grass, and wither like the green herb.
Verse 3Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.
Verse 4Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Verse 5Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.
Verse 6He will make your vindication shine like the light, and the justice of your cause like the noonday.
Verse 7Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices.
Verse 8Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret-it leads only to evil.
Verse 9For the wicked shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.
Verse 10Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there.
Devotion
The Psalmist understands well the struggle of watching evil and injustice have their way, and waiting for God’s justice to prevail. Such waiting creates anxiety. Indeed, we do fret when we see evil wreaking havoc around us. And it would seem as though there is much to fret about!
In the face of this, the Psalmist dares to say: Don’t fret! Why? Because God’s vindication will shine like light, and God's justice will be like light at noonday. What wonderful words for dark times like these! We may commit ourselves to God’s justice, not in angry or wrathful defiance against those who perpetrate evil and injustice, but in the still and patient confidence of God’s creating grasp over all of life.
Prayer
Creating God, increase our faith, quiet our minds, still our bodies, and calm our souls, that we may take delight in your life-giving presence among us, even in these dangerous and uncertain times. In the Name of the One who gives us life in the midst of death that we pray. Amen.