“Truth for
Truckers” *March 7, 2014* Psalm 37 “The Ten
Commandments for Peace”
This magnificent Psalm of Davi0d is a full (40 verses long and contains
multiple themes and a treasure loaded storehouse of blessings for the believer.
While there are (20) distinct commands to the child of God, and at least (36)
promises to the righteous, there are also (16) curses pronounced upon the
wicked.
But, in order to focus on what appears
to be the most important message of this oft-quoted Psalm, we must first of all
look at David’s priority and analyze the first eleven verses. The title of this
passage could also be Victory in Christ as David hones in the positive and
negative aspects of the normal Christian life.
His direct admonitions and imperative commands in (v.1-11) can be
analyzed accurately as The Ten Commandments for the Peace of God which is the
goal of every child of God. Maintaining peace within our hearts as we abide in
Christ is the key to continual communion and control by the Holy Spirit.
In order to receive the maximum blessing
from this Psalm you must study out the commands, promises and curses mentioned
above. Herein lies the wisdom of God which you can give to those for whom you
are responsible, whether it be your family or your flock be diligent to study
to show yourself approved unto God and also receive the maximum blessing to
your own soul! The peace that can only
come from the Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus Christ, will be evident in the
life of the child of God that obeys these commands from the Lord found in this
most enlightening and popular Psalm of David.
The first
commandment comes with the opening verse: "Fret
not thyself because of evildoers..." The Lord is giving us direct instruction,
and an imperative order, to stop being uneasy, stop letting yourself be vexed,
wore out, agitated, irritated and provoked because of those who are committing
evil, wicked acts in our presence.
The second
immediately follows in v.1: "Neither
be thou envious against the workers of iniquity." "Wrath is cruel,
and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?"(Proverb
27:4) "Love envies not" (I Corinthians 13:4). The child of God
must not commit the sin of envy! The Lord then reveals the wretched plight of
the wicked in v.2 likening them to the grass that is cut down, and the herb
that withers. The picture painted of the evildoers is one of worthless, short
lives, cut down, terminated, brought to a violent end, succumbing to the heat
of an endless torment in hell!
The third
commandment of peace is found in verse 3: "Trust
in the Lord..." totally rely on Him for the results, the outcome of
our obedience to Him, yes "Lean not
to our own understanding" which is what gets us into fretting and envying
the wicked, but "In all our ways
acknowledge Him and He shall direct our paths."(Proverb 3:5, 6)
Number four:
"Do good..." Practice the
positive actions of doing right, accomplishing good things for the glory of
God! This simple two word command is the antidote for wrong attitudes and
actions! Doing good, getting involved in ministry to those in need, whether
physically or spiritually is the cure.
The fifth
is the favorite verse of many who faithfully serve the Lord: "Delight thyself also in the Lord, and
He shall give thee the desires of thine heart." Making the Lord
Himself the focus of your affection, the central figure of your life, the one
with whom you would rather spend time with, more than any other person on
earth, yes, rejoicing in Him and who He is, and what He has done and what He
will do, feasting the eyes of your soul on Him who is altogether lovely, being
consumed with His great love, this is God’s definition of delight!
"Commit thy way unto the
Lord" is the sixth commandment of peace.
Putting Him in charge of your present and future decisions, allowing Him to
guide and direct thereby taking the responsibility from your shoulders and
casting your cares upon Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all
that we can ask or think! .
The seventh
commandment is my favorite: "Rest in
the Lord" The most popular Psalm now comes to mind as we approach the
topic of rest. "He makes me to lie
down in green pastures: He leads me beside the still waters, He restores my soul..."
Psalm 23
Number eight
is the often repeated commandment "Wait
patiently for Him." Although this seems to be the most difficult thing
to do, many times it is the only thing to do! If we have no certain direction
from the Lord it is necessary that we wait on Him until He reveals to us His
will in the matter we are seeking. Psalm 27:14 emphasized this most necessary
principle: "Wait on the Lord: be of
good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say on the
Lord." The Lord strengthens us during the time of waiting, giving us
what we need to endure while we wait on His perfect will.
The ninth
commandment of peace calls for us to "Cease
from anger." Anger is the natural man’s way of expressing contempt for
the one who brings about "Wicked
devices". So, it must be
stopped!
The tenth
and final commandment of peace in v.8: "Fret
not thyself in any wise to do evil.". Stop allowing your attitude to
be wore down to the point that you yourself sin against God by performing
ungodly actions of sin. "Those that wait upon the Lord, they
shall inherit the earth" v.9. Prosperity and blessing in this life
will follow the one who obeys the "Ten Commandments of Peace”.
Chaplain L.E.Wolfe www.btmi.org I-85 Exit 35 SC McPilot
Stop in, and please pray for our ministry!
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