monday meditation – trust in the Lord and wait patiently

Bonjour! I didn’t plan on writing a blog post today, I was too busy enjoying my holiday and I was also out of inspiration. Then I read my bible yesterday. Specifically Hebrews 5 and Psalm 37. The minister at a church we used to go to gave some advice that I’ve been following ever since. Start with the New Testament, read a chapter and also start at the beginning of Psalms and read a Psalm, each day, each week, whatever you have time for. You would be surprised how often they seem to match. The following are quotes and commentary directly from my Life Application Study Bible NIV. I hope you are inspired with my monday meditation – trust in the Lord and wait patiently.

trust

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still in the Lord and wait patiently for him.

Psalm 37:3-7 NIV

In my Hebrews 5 reading it discussed the choices of maturity. Mature choices include active faith rather than cautious apathy and doubt. Feelings and experiences evaluated in the light of God’s Word instead of experiences evaluated according to feelings. Self-evaluation instead of self-criticism. Desiring spiritual challenges, rather than desiring entertainment. These are what I will be concentrating on this week.

The commentary on these Psalms verses goes on to say How do we do this? Take delight in the Lord and commit everything we have and do to him? To delight in someone means to experience great pleasure and joy in his or her presence. This happens only when we know that person well. Thus, to delight in the Lord, we must know him better. Knowledge of God’s great love for us will indeed give us delight. To commit ourselves to the Lord means entrusting everything to his control and guidance. It means to trust in Him , believing that he can care for us better than we can ourselves. We should be willing to wait patiently for him to work out what is best for us.

don’t fret

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret-it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.

Psalm 37: 8-9 NIV

This is something I need to work on, worry and anger. Commentary on this verse says anger and worry (fretting) are two very destructive emotions. They reveal a lack of faith that God loves us and is in control. We should not worry; instead, we should trust in God, giving ourselves to him for his use and safekeeping. When you dwell on your problems, you will become anxious and angry. But if you concentrate on God and his goodness, you will find peace.

direction

If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

Psalm 37:23-24 NIV

Commentary here says the person in whom God delights is one who follows God, trusts him, and tries to do his will. God watches over and makes firm every step that person takes. If you would like to have God direct your way, then seek his advice before you step out.

wait

Wait for the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.

Psalm 37:34 NIV

And finally my bible comments it is difficult to wait patiently for God to act when we want change right away. But God promises that if we submit to his timing, he will honor us. Peter said, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under Gods mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” 1 Peter 5:6. Be patient, steadily doing the work God has given you to do, and allow God to choose the best time to change your circumstances.

That’s it for my monday meditation – trust in the Lord and wait patiently. Just like my first monday meditation remember, don’t be anxious, meditate on the good. Not to sound preachy or anything, but I just wanted to share, it was helpful for me. Please join me Wednesday for a December quoi de neuf! À bientôt!