9-14-20    THOUGHTS

At the beginning of yesterday’s worship, we read from the early part of Psalms 37. We are deeper in that reading.  The psalmist contrasts righteousness with evil.  The end of each of these is considered.  One is good, one is not.  The words are physical, the application needs to be more on the spiritual level.  There are some very good lessons in the following.

Ps 37:16-31    Better is the little of the righteous Than the abundance of many wicked. 17  For the arms of the wicked will be broken, But the LORD sustains the righteous. 18  The LORD knows the days of the blameless, And their inheritance will be forever. 19  They will not be ashamed in the time of evil, And in the days of famine they will have abundance. 20  But the wicked will perish; And the enemies of the LORD will be like the glory of the pastures, They vanish — like smoke they vanish away. 21  The wicked borrows and does not pay back, But the righteous is gracious and gives. 22  For those blessed by Him will inherit the land, But those cursed by Him will be cut off. 23  The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way. 24  When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand. 25  I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his descendants begging bread. 26  All day long he is gracious and lends, And his descendants are a blessing. 27  Depart from evil and do good, So you will abide forever.  28  For the LORD loves justice And does not forsake His godly ones; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked will be cut off. 29  The righteous will inherit the land And dwell in it forever. 30  The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, And his tongue speaks justice.  31  The law of his God is in his heart; His steps do not slip.
When I read this, the CARE of the Lord for His people, that God is our ROCK,  comes through clearly.  That God’s face is set against those who are evil is just as clear.  
Prov 10:29   The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the upright, But ruin to the workers of iniquity.

Several things in the above I find personal.   I have been young and now I am old, (25) and When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand. (24)   Both of those belong to me.  I’m no longer a young man.  In my age, I have taken some pretty good sprawls in the past five years.  A particular one occurred as I took a short-cut to exit an Oregon beach.  The words “hurled headlong” are perfect.  A couple older than me, in wheelchairs, witnessed the choreography.  They were most vocally concerned, but couldn’t help in any way.  I mustered strength to get up, said something to the effect that I was okay (my hands hurt terribly with gravel and some blood on them).... dignity was nowhere to be found!
Thank you Lord “that I am old”  (I have lived a good life), and thank you Lord for “holding my hand”!  

My Prayer:
We lift up your name Oh God, and exalt you to the highest place.  We are awed at the way you have created all things.  Thank you dear God for loving us so completely and so powerfully.  We praise you for the victory that is in Christ Jesus.  May our steps be established always in you Oh God!               

  In the name of precious Jesus                     Amen