Do Not Worry, Trust The Lord!

There is a lot of things happening in our world today and there seems to be a whole bunch of conflict.  There are many things that can cause us to worry or fret.  There are things that can even stir up feelings of anxiety and fear.

We may even get to the point where we wonder what the next day will bring.  We sometimes act like there is no hope,  but there is indeed hope.  We who are believers in Jesus Christ know that there is hope for us and for all of those who put their faith and trust in Christ.

God is not dead nor does He sleep.  Our God is a Mighty Awesome God.  The Lord knows what is going on in our world today.   There is nothing that surprises the Lord at all.  He knows that beginning to the very end.  The Lord knows what is going on in our lives and He cares for us and He loves us.

He showed us how much He loves us by sending us Jesus Christ, His Son to be an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  He rose Jesus from the dead on the third day to show us that He is indeed God and has conquered death itself. 

The Lord is worthy of our praise and our worship.

The Lord is worthy of our trust.

Psalm 37 says,

"1 ^aDo not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;

References for Psalms 37:1

• Cross References
• Footnotes

• 1 37:1 - Proverbs 3:31 ; Proverbs 23:17-18
• 2 37:1 - Psalms 73:3 ; Proverbs 24:19

• ¯ 37:1 - This psalm is an acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.

References for Psalms 37:2

• Cross References

• 3 37:2 - S 2 Kings 19:26 ; Job 14:2 ; Psalms 102:4 ; Isaiah 40:7
• 4 37:2 - ver 38; Psalms 90:6 ; Psalms 92:7 ; James 1:10

3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

References for Psalms 37:3

• Cross References

• 5 37:3 - Deuteronomy 30:20
• 6 37:3 - Isaiah 40:11 ; Ezekiel 34:14 ; John 10:9

4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

References for Psalms 37:4

• Cross References

• 7 37:4 - S Job 27:10 ; Isaiah 58:14
• 8 37:4 - S Job 7:6 ; Psalms 21:2 ; Psalms 145:19 ; Matthew 6:33

5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:

References for Psalms 37:5

• Cross References

• 9 37:5 - Psalms 4:5 ; Psalms 55:22 ; Proverbs 16:3 ; 1 Peter 5:7

6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.

References for Psalms 37:6

• Cross References

• 10 37:6 - Psalms 18:24 ; Psalms 103:17 ; Psalms 112:3 ; Micah 7:9
• 11 37:6 - S Job 11:17

7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

References for Psalms 37:7

• Cross References

• 12 37:7 - S Exodus 14:14 ; S Isaiah 41:1 ; Psalms 62:5 ; Lamentations 3:26
• 13 37:7 - S Psalms 27:14 ; Psalms 40:1 ; Psalms 130:5 ; Isaiah 38:13 ; Habakkuk 3:16 ; Romans 8:25
• 14 37:7 - ver 1
• 15 37:7 - Jeremiah 12:1
• 16 37:7 - Psalms 21:11 ; Psalms 26:10 ; Psalms 119:150

8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.

References for Psalms 37:8

• Cross References

• 17 37:8 - Ephesians 4:31 ; Colossians 3:8
• 18 37:8 - ver 1

9 For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

References for Psalms 37:9

• Cross References

• 19 37:9 - S Psalms 31:22 ; Psalms 101:8 ; Psalms 118:10 ; Proverbs 2:22
• 20 37:9 - Isaiah 25:9 ; Isaiah 26:8 ; Isaiah 40:31 ; Isaiah 49:23 ; Isaiah 51:5
• 21 37:9 - ver 22; Psalms 25:13 ; Isaiah 49:8 ; Isaiah 57:13 ; Isaiah 60:21 ; Matthew 5:5

10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.

References for Psalms 37:10

• Cross References

• 22 37:10 - S Job 7:10 ; Job 24:24 ; Ezekiel 27:36

11 But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.

References for Psalms 37:11

• Cross References

• 23 37:11 - S Numbers 14:24 ; Matthew 5:5
• 24 37:11 - S Leviticus 26:6 ; S Numbers 6:26

12 The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them;

References for Psalms 37:12

• Cross References

• 25 37:12 - Psalms 2:1 ; Psalms 31:13
• 26 37:12 - S Job 16:9 ; Psalms 35:16 ; Psalms 112:10

13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.

References for Psalms 37:13

• Cross References

• 27 37:13 - 1 Samuel 26:10 ; Psalms 2:4 ; Ezekiel 12:23

14 The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.

References for Psalms 37:14

• Cross References

• 28 37:14 - S Psalms 22:20
• 29 37:14 - Psalms 11:2
• 30 37:14 - S Psalms 35:10

15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.

References for Psalms 37:15

• Cross References

• 31 37:15 - S Psalms 9:16
• 32 37:15 - S 1 Samuel 2:4 ; Psalms 46:9 ; Jeremiah 49:35

16 Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked;

References for Psalms 37:16

• Cross References

• 33 37:16 - Proverbs 15:16 ; Proverbs 16:8

17 for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.

References for Psalms 37:17

• Cross References

• 34 37:17 - Job 38:15 ; Psalms 10:15
• 35 37:17 - Psalms 41:12 ; Psalms 140:12 ; Psalms 145:14 ; Psalms 146:7

18 The blameless spend their days under the LORD’s care, and their inheritance will endure forever.

References for Psalms 37:18

• Cross References

• 36 37:18 - S Job 23:10 ; Psalms 44:21 ; Psalms 1:6
• 37 37:18 - ver 27,29

19 In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

20 But the wicked will perish: Though the LORD’s enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.

References for Psalms 37:20

• Cross References

• 38 37:20 - S Psalms 34:21
• 39 37:20 - Psalms 68:2 ; Psalms 102:3 ; Isaiah 51:6

21 The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;

References for Psalms 37:21

• Cross References

• 40 37:21 - S Leviticus 25:35 ; Psalms 112:5

22 those the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be destroyed.

References for Psalms 37:22

• Cross References

• 41 37:22 - S Job 5:3 ; Proverbs 3:33
• 42 37:22 - ver 9

23 The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;

References for Psalms 37:23

• Cross References

• 43 37:23 - S Numbers 14:8 ; Psalms 147:11
• 44 37:23 - S Job 11:15 ; S Psalms 7:9 ; Psalms 66:9 ; 1 Samuel 2:9

24 though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

References for Psalms 37:24

• Cross References

• 45 37:24 - S Psalms 13:4 ; Psalms 27:2 ; Psalms 38:17 ; Psalms 55:22 ; Psalms 119:165 ; Proverbs 3:23 ; Proverbs 10:9 ; Proverbs 24:16
• 46 37:24 - 2 Chronicles 9:8 ; Psalms 41:12 ; Psalms 145:14 ; Psalms 147:6

25 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.

References for Psalms 37:25

• Cross References

• 47 37:25 - ver 28; S Genesis 15:1 ; Hebrews 13:5
• 48 37:25 - Psalms 111:5 ; Psalms 145:15 ; Mark 10:46

26 They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.                                                                      

References for Psalms 37:26

• Cross References
• Footnotes

• 49 37:26 - S Leviticus 25:35
• 50 37:26 - Deuteronomy 28:4 ; Psalms 112:2 ; Psalms 147:13

• ° 37:26 - Or "freely;" / "the names of their children will be used in blessings" (see Gen. 48:20); or "freely;" / "others will see that their children are blessed"

27 Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.

References for Psalms 37:27

• Cross References

• 51 37:27 - Psalms 34:14 ; 3 John 1:11
• 52 37:27 - S Numbers 24:21

28 For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed ; the offspring of the wicked will perish.

References for Psalms 37:28

• Cross References
• Footnotes

• 53 37:28 - S Deuteronomy 7:6 ; S Psalms 18:25 ; S Psalms 97:10
• 54 37:28 - S Genesis 17:14 ; S Deuteronomy 32:26 ; Proverbs 2:22 ; Psalms 21:10 ; Isaiah 14:20

• ± 37:28 - See Septuagint; Hebrew "They will be protected forever"

29 The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.

References for Psalms 37:29

• Cross References

• 55 37:29 - ver 9; Proverbs 2:21
• 56 37:29 - Isaiah 34:17

30 The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.

References for Psalms 37:30

• Cross References

• 57 37:30 - Psalms 49:3 ; Proverbs 10:13

31 The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip.

References for Psalms 37:31

• Cross References

• 58 37:31 - S Deuteronomy 6:6 ; S Job 22:22 ; Psalms 40:8 ; Isaiah 51:7
• 59 37:31 - ver 23; S Deuteronomy 32:35

32 The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, intent on putting them to death;

References for Psalms 37:32

• Cross References

• 60 37:32 - S Psalms 10:8
• 61 37:32 - Psalms 11:5

33 but the LORD will not leave them in the power of the wicked or let them be condemned when brought to trial.

References for Psalms 37:33

• Cross References

• 62 37:33 - Job 32:3 ; Psalms 34:22 ; Psalms 79:11
• 63 37:33 - Psalms 109:31 ; 2 Peter 2:9

34 Hope in the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.

References for Psalms 37:34

• Cross References

• 64 37:34 - Psalms 27:14
• 65 37:34 - S Psalms 18:21
• 66 37:34 - ver 9
• 67 37:34 - Psalms 52:6

35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a luxuriant native tree,

References for Psalms 37:35

• Cross References

• 68 37:35 - S Job 5:3

36 but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.

References for Psalms 37:36

• Cross References

• 69 37:36 - ver 10; Proverbs 12:7 ; Isaiah 41:12 ; Daniel 11:19 ; Job 20:5

37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace.                                                                       

References for Psalms 37:37

• Cross References
• Footnotes

• 70 37:37 - ver 18; S Genesis 6:9 ; Psalms 18:25
• 71 37:37 - Psalms 11:7
• 72 37:37 - Isaiah 57:1-2

• ² 37:37 - Or "upright; / those who seek peace will have posterity"

38 But all sinners will be destroyed; there will be no future for the wicked.

References for Psalms 37:38

• Cross References
• Footnotes

• 73 37:38 - S Psalms 1:1
• 74 37:38 - S ver 2; Psalms 73:19
• 75 37:38 - ver 9; Psalms 1:4

• ³ 37:38 - Or "posterity"

39 The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.

References for Psalms 37:39

• Cross References

• 76 37:39 - S Psalms 3:8
• 77 37:39 - S Psalms 9:9

40 The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.  

There will always be things that can cause us to lose our focus and head down the long road of worry and even despair.  

We must remind ourselves that we belong to the Lord and that He is still God despite what is going on all around us.  We can trust Him with our very lives and the lives of those we love because He loves them also.

Let us place our anxieties and our worries at the feet of Jesus and trust Him with a fresh faith.  

Lord,

Help us to cast our worries at Your feet and leave them there with You.

Help us to trust in You with a fresh faith.

Lead us and guide us by Your Spirit.

Draw us near to You.

In Jesus name we pray,

Amen.