Meditation: Beauty and Faithfulness

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Today I've been meditating on Psalm 37:3 which says "Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness."

I read every translation I can on this verse and found this awesome commentary on it:

"Trust in the Lord."
Faith cures fretting. Sight is cross-eyed, and views things only as they seem, hence her envy; faith has clearer optics to behold things as they really are, hence her peace. "And do good." True faith is actively obedient. Doing good is a fine remedy for fretting. There is a joy in holy activity which drives away the rust of discontent. "So shalt thou dwell in the land." In "the land" which floweth with milk and honey; the Canaan of the covenant. Thou shalt not wander in the wilderness of murmuring, but abide in the promised land of content and rest. "We which have believed do enter into rest." Very much of our outward depends upon the inward; where there is heaven in the heart there will be heaven in the house. "And verily thou shall be fed," or shepherded. To integrity and faith necessaries are guaranteed. The good shepherd will exercise his pastoral care over all believers. In truth they shall be fed, and fed on truth. The promise of God shall be their perpetual banquet; they shall neither lack in spirituals nor in temporals. Some read this as an exhortation, "Feed on truth;" certainly this is good cheer, and banishes for ever the hungry heart-burnings of envy.
from The Treasury of David

Today I bring my concerns (or fretting) to rest by doing the following:
1 • Trusting in the Lord - He who knows the end from the beginning is all wise and all knowing. I choose to put my trust in God.
2 • Doing good - pretty much the opposite of doing bad. There's a lot of good that needs to be done around me starting with the people next to me.
3 • Dwelling in the land - the Lord brought me here and my heart will dwell in this land that He has given me. I will be a blessing here and I will bring God's favor into the lives of the people who live here where I am. I will actively pray for the peace of this place.
4 • Feeding on His faithfulness - I'm still chewing on the wonder of this portion of Scripture. You mean all I need to do is pitch my tent and have a blast on God's faithfulness and goodness? I'm in!!!

Friend, no matter what heavy burdens you carry today, there is a God who is able and willing to take them and give you faithfulness and beauty.