Psalm 37:1-9 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 37:1-9 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.
Devotion
It's rare that I get a quiet moment. It's why I love mowing the lawn — it's my thinking time. I’m almost always thinking about what else I need to get done: What will the next sermon be about? How will we get the kids to their activities? What will I make for dinner?
This tends to be the way I'm wired for bigger decisions too. My brain sees what could be — what the possibilities are — and wants to get them done. But I've also seen the tremendous benefit to waiting, to putting my trust in God and letting myself be still. Listen. Discern. Yet this is not a guarantee that the answer I'm seeking is the one that I want to follow.
When the psalmist suggests to refrain from anger, the challenge is to commit to God, even when it's difficult to do the right thing.
Prayer
God of stillness, bring us peace in our discernment and guide us to solutions that display your grace and love for this world. Amen.