Psalm 37 (part 1): have a little God-sense
You’ve heard of common sense, right? Well, this psalm encourages us to have a little God-sense. It helps us see things the right way, from God’s perspective. Worried that the wicked are doing too well? Don’t be - they’ll soon be gone. That’s the gist of this psalm. I think it should be required reading for those who are always playing the comparison game - in terms of worldly possessions.
“Make Yahweh your joy and he will give you your heart’s desires.” Ah, but there’s the rub! Will your desires be the same after you give your heart to Yahweh? I doubt you’ll be wishing for exotic cars, McMansions, expensive jewelry and lots of women after you turn your heart over to God. And that’s the hangup, isn’t it? We’re so afraid to turn our lives and hearts over to God, because we know He’ll change them. We’re afraid of the change - we think we’ll become some religious nuts who’ll go preaching at street corners, or we’ll donate all our money to charity, or do some crazy thing like that, right? We look at Bible prophets and we say, my God, I hope I won’t become like Jeremiah, hunted and put in prison, unable to keep his big mouth shut… I mean, the man lost his betrothed because he couldn’t shut up, had to speak God’s truth… Why risk it, right? Better safe than sorry… or is it?
Then, of course, we look at those who are doing great, financially speaking, and we know they’re bending, even overstepping the rules. We know some are making lots of money by exploiting other people, or by being poster boys and girls for unhealthy lifestyles. Plus, they pay lip service to God - they say God blessed them, they even pray to Him, in public nonetheless. Why can’t I have that, we ask? Look, things are going great for them! Or are they? Look, they have everything they want! Do they?
One thing you forget is that we humans are great at putting up appearances. What you see is NOT what you get with most people. I know, you may have met some truly WYSIWYG people, but they’re the exception, not the rule. Don’t think those who succeed by “devious means” have it easy. Don’t think their lives are wonderful. You’d be assuming too much!
God, through this psalm, reminds us to pay no attention to them. “A little while and the wicked will be no more,” He says. We shouldn’t worry about what we have here on earth, in the now. We will soon have it all for our own, “to enjoy untroubled peace.” We may or may not be prosperous here and now, but what matters is that we be with God. And, “what little the upright possesses outweighs all the wealth of the wicked.”
So sit down and count your blessings. Look at what’s good in your lives, and thank God for it. Stick close to Him, “put your trust in Yahweh and do right, make your home in the land and live secure.”
